25/08/2026
State House concerned over claims Hichilema ordered closure of courts
STATE HOUSE Chief Communications Specialist Clayson Hamasaka says claims suggesting President Hakainde Hichilema ordered the closure of courts to prevent opposition leader Brian Mundubile from filing an election petition are inconsistent with the Constitution and available facts.
Hamasaka says President Hichilema believes in the separation of powers and has no constitutional authority to determine when or how courts receive filings.
He says the security measures implemented on Monday, August 24, 2026, affected several key Government institutions, including those under the Ministry of Justice, Home Affairs and Internal Security, the National Prosecution Authority and the Attorney General’s Chambers.
According to Hamasaka, the measures were intelligence-led and preventive, aimed at safeguarding Government institutions, public officers and members of the public.
He says courts had remained operational on the working days following the Electoral Commission of Zambia’s declaration of the presidential results on August 18, but no petition challenging the presidential election had been filed during that period.
Hamasaka has challenged those claiming they were prevented from filing a petition to provide evidence of the petition and when and how they attempted to lodge it.
He says Government will not stand in the way of anyone seeking legitimate remedies provided by law, adding that political grievances should not be used to attribute the decisions of independent institutions to President Hichilema.
©TV Yatu | August 25, 2026.
