Zambian News Online

22/02/2026

The main road in the Zanimuone area of Chazanga Ward 26, in Mandevu Constituency, is in urgent need of repair. Some residents say the area councillor, who belongs to PF, has failed to have the road repaired since being elected. Our citizen journalist Wiza Simpungwe, a first-year journalism student at Evelyn Hone College, brings us the story.

08/10/2025

MUMBI PHIRI'S REMARKS SPARK TRIBALISM DEBATE AHEAD OF 2026 POLLS
​Recent remarks by former Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General Mumbi Phiri, suggesting an ideal opposition presidential ticket based on regional origins, have ignited a national conversation on tribalism and its role in Zambian politics ahead of the August 2026 general elections.
​Ms. Phiri was quoted in a local publication advocating for a Bemba presidential aspirant to select a running mate from the Eastern Province as a strategy for the opposition to defeat the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) in the upcoming polls. These comments have been widely viewed as tribal and discriminatory.
​The National Restoration Party (NAREP) President, Ezra Tikwiza Ngulube, condemned Ms. Phiri's suggestion, stating that tribalism is primarily "perpetuated by politicians to advance their agenda."
​"Our Mother Mumbi Phiri was not supposed to come out that way," said Mr. Ngulube, a former UPND Alliance Spokesperson and current UPND Alliance Council of Presidents Secretary. "Zambia is not the East or the North, Central or Northwestern."
​Mr. Ngulube argued that widespread intermarriages complicate discussions around tribalism, noting his own family ties across North-Western and Western provinces. He asserted that Zambians prioritize a candidate's ability to deliver development over their regional origin.
​Echoing this view, Community Advocate and Teresa Heart Foundation Executive Director Manga Chibesa Kambole suggested that tribalism exists "just on paper and not among the younger generation," many of whom are "mixed breed" and do not speak their mother tongues.
Ms. Kambole, who is both Bemba and Lozi, stated she has not experienced tribalism "to the magnitude that it can even be recorded."
​However, Disability Rights Advocate Steven Jethro Phiri expressed concern over what he termed an "emerging trend of Tribalism" that risks dividing cultural and social norms. He acknowledged that tribal identity is part of cultural identity but insisted it "must not be used to discriminate or favor a particular group."
​As stakeholders weigh in, there is a perception that tribalism is largely confined to "few individuals with vested interest to advance particular agenda based on emotions" rather than being a widespread societal issue. Political parties are currently preparing their manifestos, with increased scrutiny on politicians to present a unifying message to the Zambian electorate.

16/08/2025

Opinion

Governance Exploits

Both economic and political governance are the engines that move nations forward. From President Hichilema’s recent statements, we hear that independent and credible rating agencies have upgraded Zambia’s economic standing.

If this is accurate, then it is cause for celebration. This is what one could objectively call fixing the national economy. Normalcy appears to be on the horizon. No more cash in car boots, no more failure to service debt.

Yet, if this progress is real, we must ask pointed questions. What was happening to Zambia during the last three administrations? Should we entrust governance to those who lead recklessly and without accountability?

What makes this development more striking is that it comes at a time of significant challenges from severe droughts to persistent power shortages.

Our conclusion is simple: toxic political undertones have been Zambia’s greatest enemy. Leading with love, and spreading it, remains a genuine path toward lasting stability.

08/08/2025

BREAKING NEWS - EDGAR LUNGU SHOULD BE BURIED IN ZAMBIA SAYS SA COURT
The remains of former Zambian President Edgar Lungu are set to be repatriated to Zambia for a state funeral after a South African high court ruled that the government's interest in according a dignified burial to a former head of state, overrides the family's private wishes or indeed President Lungu's wishes.
The ruling, delivered today, brings an end to a protracted legal and political standoff that began with Lungu’s death two months ago in a hospital in Pretoria.
Lungu, 68, the country's sixth president who served from 2015 to 2021, passed away on June 5, 2025, while seeking medical treatment in South Africa.
Following his death, the Zambian government, led by President Hakainde Hichilema, declared a 14-day period of national mourning and began preparations to repatriate the body for a state funeral.
However, a dispute quickly emerged between the government, Lungu's family, and his political party, the Patriotic Front (PF). The family, whose key spokesperson has been identified as his family lawyer, Makebi Zulu. He argued that their late patriarch's wishes were for his successor not to grace his funeral nor be anywhere near his remains and his next of kin desired a private burial in South Africa.
This was reportedly due to a deep-seated political rivalry with his successor, President Hichilema.
The family's position was that Lungu, having been stripped of his benefits as a former head of state, should not be repatriated for a state-sponsored burial, a position that was also publicly supported by the Patriotic Front.
This led to a legal impasse, as the family proceeded with plans for a private burial in South Africa.
On the day of the planned funeral, the Zambian government, through its Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha, filed an urgent application with the South African High Court to halt the burial, arguing that a former head of state must be buried in Zambia with full national honors in accordance with existing protocols and public interest. The move was in furtherance of a duty owed by the Zambian government to its former Presidents.
The court's judgment agreed with the Zambian government's position and argument, emphasizing that national protocol and public interest take precedence over individual family preferences in matters of national significance.
This decision paves the way for Lungu's remains to be returned to Zambia for a state funeral, a plan the government had been preparing for.
The resolution of this matter underscores the critical importance of good governance and the preservation of national values in the context on conflict of laws and international obligations.
The legal and political wrangling over the former president's burial has exposed a potential gap in Zambia's legal framework regarding the funeral arrangements of a former head of state, highlighting the need for clarity and objective laws to guide such processes and prevent future disputes.
The national values of patriotism and unity are paramount in times of mourning, and a unified, dignified send-off for a national leader is essential for fostering a sense of shared heritage and continuity.

26/07/2025

Zambian wheelchair basketball team prepares for tournament today.

18/08/2020

Interesting article about the decline of cricket in Zambia allegedly caused by black Zambians kicking out Indo-Zambians from cricket administration. Apparently, Zambia is banned from international cricket due to internal wrangles.

When ‘Wolves’ land to feast on wickets…
……..cricket in Zambia has been shunted to the dire strait!

Cricket like other top notch sports such Tennis, Golf or Motor Racing is a financially demanding sport requiring colossal amount of finances to keep it afloat.

To do that, the administrators of the sport must induce goodwill in attracting corporate partnerships and to show tact in financial literacy and most cardinal a high sense of accountability.

The background of Cricket in Zambia is littered with immeasurable successes dating to the pre-independent Zambia, the seventies up to the late eighties.

During its ‘UNIP’ heydays the ZCU (Zambia Cricket Union), the body mandated to coordinate cricket activities in the country was consistent in the organization of the local league which was evenly punctuated by a good number of top flight international engagements.

Teams such as Uganda, Malawi and Zimbabwe were regular at Ndola Cricket Club which was a stone’s throw from my home.

It was in the nineties that Cricket activities started to stumble. A group of devious ‘indigenous’ Zambians started to make allegations of being discriminated against in the sport.

Their intentions did not arise out of their passion for the sport but to sow disdain against the Indo-Zeds (as I prefer to refer to Zambians of Indian for the purpose of avoiding the near-derogatory local term).

Their ill-mannered activities were instigated or influenced by a mistaken assumption that Indo-Zeds were unjustifiably benefiting from government grants given to some sports associations with special needs.

As far as I am aware, Cricket and Golf have never been known to pass around a begging bowl!

Early into the turn of millennium, the ‘indigenous’ Zambians had stealthily squeezed themselves into the top echelon of cricket management. Before long, they had insidiously reached the apex of cricket management in Zambia.

Within a very little time, the cookie started to crumble!

In 2013, the ZCU was admitted as a member of the world wide governing body, ICU (International Cricket Association). Grapevine has it that, the association started to receive some grants in form of equipment and of hopefully some ‘Pins of Dollars’ from the international body to promote the sport in Zambia.

However in 2017, the NSCZ (National Sports Council of Zambia) had cracked the whip against the Rueben Chama led executive committee.

His entire executive was suspended to pave way for investigations on alleged misappropriation or ‘misapplication’ of finances.

To show his mettle of who should call the shots between him and ‘instigator’ Raphael Mulenga, the current Secretary General of NSCZ, Chama countered the suspension with a punitive injunction, restraining NSCZ from appointing of what is trending elsewhere; a Normalization Committee. And the stand-off began.

To date, Zambia is banned to take part in any form of Cricket activities at international level. And whether, there are or has been any form of cricket activities taking place in Zambia in recent times is a matter of conjecture, and it begs some questions:

What really happened, for Cricket to find itself, hanging so precariously to delicate contour grips, in its slide down the abyss?

And why do a few ‘indigenous’ Zambians who have been assimilated into the sport turned out to be an assemblage of power hungry scoundrels? Are they sure or capable to afford the beyond-reach pricing of the array of equipment and apparel Cricket is associated with?

The melancholy obtaining in Cricket is not peculiar to the sport. Except, in the case of Cricket the racial disharmony exhibited by the ‘indigenous’ Zambians towards the Indo-Zeds, emit some nausea of physical-free xenophobic delusion!

Thus, to compare the machinations to the proverbial; Cricket has gone to the ‘Dogs’ is being short of the actual truth, in fact, it is the ‘Dogs’ that have come to Cricket!

11/04/2020

DP TO PERTITION IBA, WRITE TO INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND PROTEST AGAINST THE CLOSURE OF PRIME TV AND MOPANI MINES

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11 April 2020

The DP held a meeting yesterday to discuss the closure of Prime TV by the PF government and the unreasonable decision by Mopani Mines to put the mine on care and maintance sending more even thousand workers jobless.

The behaviour demonstrated by President Lungu and his government must be fought by all well meaning Zambians and must not be allowed anywhere near our democracy.

The actions by PF are a recipe and a genesis of rigging 2021 general elections. It suffices to note that rigging elections does not happen in a one day but it's an agenda and a process that follows through stages which includes intimidation, abuse of power, abuse of the police, political violence, closure of media houses as been seen today and eventually all these culminates into instilling fear in people which results into voter apathy and rigging of elections.

In this regard, the following decisions have been taken by the DP;

Firstly, the DP will move to petition the IBA on the decison taken to close Prime TV without giving the nation a proper reason because any person directing himself well and considering the circumstances could not have arrived at such a careless decision.

Secondly, the DP will write to the International Community which among many others will include the SADC, COMESA, European Nation and the American Government on the human rights deterioration in Zambia under the leadership of President Lungu.

Thirdly, DP is proceeding to write to Zambia Police notifying them on our intention to hold a protest against the closure of Prime TV and the careless decision by Mopani to put the mine on care and maintenance.

We would like to mention that we are fully alive to the covid 19 pandemic and as such the party will provide masks and sanitizers which will include spray to all the people that will participate in the protest.

Further the protest will be done in numbers of less than 50 people at different points to abide by the law as contained in statutory Instrument number 22 of 2020

We would like to appeal to all well meaning Zambians to join this noble cause.

The DP will advise the public on the dates for all the actions.

Issued by

Judith Kabemba
DP Spokesperson

11/04/2020

LAZ PRESS STATEMENT DATED 11TH APRIL 2020 ON THE CANCELLATION OF PRIME TELEVISION’S BROADCASTING LICENCE BY THE INDEPENDENT BROADCASTING AUTHORITY

The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) is deeply saddened and gravely perturbed by the cancellation of Prime Television’s (Prime TV) broadcasting licence by the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) on 9th April 2020. In the Press Release issued by the IBA on the said date, the IBA stated that the cancellation of the licence was done in “Public Interest” pursuant to section 29 (1) (j) and (k) of the Independent Broadcasting (Amendment) Act No. 26 of 2010 ( the “IBA Act”), which stipulates that the Board may cancel a broadcasting licence if, “the cancellation of the licence is necessary in the interest of public safety, security, peace, welfare or good order” or “the Board considers it appropriate in the circumstances of the case to do so.” Although the IBA has discretionary powers to cancel any licence that it issues under the IBA Act, LAZ notes that in its Press Release, the IBA did not go further to explain to the public, in whose interest the decision was professedly taken, the basis of the decision, the security and peace concerns as well as other circumstances in issue and whether the IBA itself had complied with the entire provisions of section 29 of the IBA Act, which stipulates in section 29 (2) that:
Where a broadcasting licensee does not comply with this Act or with the conditions of the broadcasting licence, the Authority shall notify the broadcasting licensee of the measures that the broadcasting licensee should undertake, within a specified period to comply with the conditions of this Act or the broadcasting license.

Furthermore, section 29 (3) of the Act stipulates that:

The Authority shall, where a broadcasting licensee fails to comply with a notice issued under subsection (2), within a specified period of time suspend the broadcasting licence for a specified period of time or cancel the broadcasting licence.

More importantly, perhaps, section 29 (7) of the IBA Act stipulates in mandatory terms that:

The Board shall, before cancelling or suspending a broadcasting licence under this section, give the broadcasting licensee an opportunity to be heard.

In view of the above provisions of the IBA Act and the contents of the Press Release issued by the IBA on 9th April 2020, LAZ is of the view, and did establish from Prime TV, that the IBA never issued any notice or warning to Prime TV, as required by Section 29 (2) of the IBA Act and that the IBA did not go further to avail Prime TV an opportunity to be heard. Accordingly, LAZ is of the view that the conduct of the IBA in cancelling the licence for Prime TV was done prematurely and contrary to the clear provisions of the law.

LAZ is also of the view that the action and conduct of the IBA is an affront to the freedom of the media and an assault on the democratic right of freedom of expression. With the recent decision by the Government to stop all government officers from dealing with Prime TV owing to Prime TV’s reported decision not to allow the Government to air any COVID-19 announcements on Prime TV and the removal of Prime TV from the TopStar platform, the timing of the cancellation of Prime TV’s licence raises a lot of speculation and reasonable doubts about the independence and professionalism of the IBA in this matter. This is a serious concern for the future of the private media in Zambia especially as the nation heads towards the 2021 Presidential and General Elections.

LAZ further adds that the decision and action of the IBA is untimely and extremely unfortunate especially when the nation is still grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic which needs to be combatted through concerted efforts of both the private and public media.

LAZ is also seriously concerned by the reported commandeering of the Prime TV premises and offices by Zambia Police officers as reported by MUVI TV on 9th April 2020. LAZ is alarmed by the fact that though the IBA did not order Prime TV to close, the Zambia Police officers appear to have taken control of private premises of a private television station without a court order and without any evidence of any criminal activities perpetrated by Prime TV officers or employees following the cancellation of its licence. The cancellation of Prime TV’s licence is a civil matter and should not be turned into a criminal case without adherence to the dictates of the relevant law.

LAZ also condemns any heavy-handedness and blatant breach of the law by any authority or law enforcement agency especially that it appears that the actions against Prime TV are premised on mere differences in opinions. It is LAZ’s firm position that in a democratic society such as ours, it is not necessary for everyone to sing and dance to one song. Diversity in opinions does not weaken but rather strengthens us and must be encouraged and espoused if we are to grow even more as a society.

LAZ therefore calls on the IBA to immediately rescind its illegal decision to cancel the licence for Prime TV and to allow Prime TV to start operating in accordance with the law. To this effect, LAZ demands that both the IBA and Zambia Police should allow Prime TV’s proprietors, officers and staff to access and control Prime TV’s premises with immediate effect.

ISSUED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE LAW ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA
11th April 2020

01/11/2016

IMF says the Zambian economy is in a bad state, but the situation is not beyond repair and needs tough action

“At the invitation of the authorities, an International Monetary Fund (IMF) team led by Tsidi Tsikata visited Zambia during October 19-31 to help assess the current economic situation and provide policy advice to restore macroeconomic stability and promote broad-based economic growth.
At the end of the mission, Mr. Tsikata issued the following statement:
“The Zambian economy continues to be under stress from the impact of external and domestic shocks and an unbalanced policy mix. The pace of economic activity remains sluggish in 2016, with growth projected at 3percent due to continued electricity shortages, low exports and subdued private sector consumption and investment.
“Public finances are severely strained. Fiscal performance through the first three quarters of 2016 was characterized by shortfalls in revenue and substantial spending overruns on fuel and electricity subsidies. The government has also been accumulating payment arrears to suppliers and contractors. The stock of arrears is projected to increase from about ZMW10 billion (5 percent of GDP) at end-2015 to about ZMW 20 billion (9 percent of GDP) at the end of 2016. On a cash basis, the fiscal deficit for the whole year is projected to reach 5 percent of GDP, and the deficit on a commitment basis (i.e., taking into account the net accumulation of arrears during the year) at about 10 percent of GDP. To date, the cash deficit has been largely financed with domestic borrowing, mainly from the Bank of Zambia.
“Monetary policy has continued to carry the burden of policy adjustments. A tightening of monetary policy helped stabilize the exchange rate and put inflation on a downward trajectory. However, the ensuing tight liquidity conditions together with the slowdown in International Monetary Fund
Washington, D.C. 20431 USA growth and the accumulation of government payments arrears have put the private sector and the banking system under stress and led to an increase in non-performing loans.
“The mission and the authorities discussed a broad range of measures to create fiscal space for beginning to clear government’s arrears, scale up social spending and reduce the fiscal deficit on a commitment basis in 2017. This adjustment would help to put public debt on a downward path and allow monetary policy to gradually unwind the current tight stance, allowing the economy to recover.
“Zambia’s current economic challenges can be overcome with resolute policy action such as the recent adjustment of fuel prices to cost-reflective levels and the announced intention to reduce electricity subsidies.
These measures, if coupled with structural reforms to reduce inefficiencies and increase capacity utilization in the energy sector, would go a long way toward increasing Zambia’s potential growth.
The mission welcomes the authorities’ plan to scale up social cash transfers and protect social spending, including on health and education, to mitigate the potential impact on the poor.
“The mission welcomes the authorities’ decision to undertake a broad-based consultative process to ensure support within the government and across national stakeholders for their policies and reforms that could be implemented under an IMF arrangement. At the authorities’ request, the mission will return to Zambia in early 2017 to conduct Article IV consultation and program discussions.
“The team met with Finance Minister Felix Mutati, Bank of Zambia (BoZ) Governor Denny Kalyalya, National Development Planning Minister Lucky Mulusa, other senior government and BoZ officials, members of parliament, as well as representatives of the private sector, labor unions, civil society organizations, and Zambia’s development partners. The mission thanks the authorities and the other stakeholders who it met with, for their openness and the constructive spirit in which all discussions were held. The IMF stands ready to support Zambia and its people as needed.”

01/11/2016

Divorced and stranded Zambian women worry Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba

Minister of Foreign Affairs Harry Kalaba is saddened over a report about Zambian women getting stranded in West Africa after being divorced.
Zambian High Commissioner to Nigeria Dr Solomon Jere informed Mr. Kalaba in Abuja yesterday that a lot of Zambian women married to west Africans are getting stranded after divorce and cannot afford to buy airtickets to go back to Zambia with children.
Dr Jere said most Zambian women who get married to west Africans while in Zambia get shocked to discover that their husbands already have other wives and children when they are taken to west Africa.
Dr Jere said some of the women were living in abject poverty to an extent of getting food aid from Red cross.
He added that the Zambian Mission is Nigeria has no budgetline to repatriate the stranded women to Zambia.
And Mr. Kalaba said his Ministry will discuss the issue and find ways to help repartriate the Zambian women back home.
Mr. Kalaba cautioned Zambians to be careful before deciding to go and live abroad saying life without a stable income in foreign countries could be hard.
And Dr Jere has also cautioned Zambians travelling to Nigeria for prayers to ensure that they get invitation letters before they leave Zambia.
He said a lot of Zambians were getting stranded in Nigeria after spending all their Money before they they meet men of God for prayers. He said Zambians need to believe that God can answer prayer and heal the sick even within Zambia.
Mr. Kalaba is in Nigeria as Special Envoy to deliver a special message from President Edgar Lungu to Nigerian President.
Mr.Kalaba will also have bilateral talks with Nigerian Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama to discuss ways of strengthening ties between the two countries.