News Breakers (2026)

01/09/2026

THE LEGACY OF JUSTICE: Remembering the Life and Work of HON. MRS. JUSTICE IRENE CHIRWA MAMBILIMA.
MHSRIP 🥹🕊️😭

Hon. Mrs. Justice Irene Chirwa Mambilima was Zambia’s first female Chief Justice. She was appointed Chief Justice of the Republic of Zambia on 26th February, 2015. Justice Mambilima holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Zambia and a Master of Laws degree from the University of London. She was admitted to the bar in 1977.

Prior to her appointment as Chief Justice, Justice Mambilima served as Deputy Chief Justice of the Republic of Zambia from 2008 to 2015. Justice Mambilima has served in various position in the Judiciary since she first joined as a Commissioner of the High Court in 1985. She served as a Judge of the High Court from 1989 to 2002. Justice Mambilima was appointed Judge-in-Charge of the Lusaka High Court in 1996 and subsequently, Judge-in-Charge of the High Court Commercial List in 2000. Later in 2000, she was appointed to act as Judge of the Supreme Court and was ratified in 2002.

Justice Mambilima once served as a Judge in another jurisdiction. In 2003, she served as Sessional Judge of the Supreme Court of the Gambia.

Justice Mambilima twice served as Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) between 2005 and 2015. During her time as Chairperson of ECZ, she presided over the 2006 and 2011 presidential and parliamentary elections and the 2015 presidential by-election. From 1994 to 1996, Justice Mambilima served as a member of ECZ. Justice Mambilima has participated in various election observer missions in Mozambique, Kenya, Seychelles and she led the EISA Election Observation Mission to the presidential elections in Liberia.

Before she joined the bench, Justice Mambilima served in various capacities in the government including as a State Advocate and a Senior State Advocate under the Attorney General’s Chambers from 1977 to 1984 and as the Director of the then Legal Aid department in the then Ministry of Legal Affairs now the Ministry of Justice.

Justice Mambilima was the Chairperson of the Zambian Council of Law Reporting, a statutory body established under Chapter 46 of the Laws of Zambia. She was a Board Member on the Child Fund Zambia Board and previously served on the Advisory Board for Women in Law Southern Africa (WILSA).

She attended various seminars, conferences and trainings in election management, alternative dispute resolution, gender and democracy and Judicial Seminars.

Justice Mambilima was a member of a number of professional associations, including the Zambia Association of Women Judges, the International Association of Women Judges and the Southern African Chief Justices Forum. She once served as the President of the Zambia Association of Women Judges having been elected in 2011.

Hon. Mrs Justice Irene Chirwa Mambilima passed away at the age of 69 in Cairo, Egypt, while on official business, on June 20, 2021.

NKURUMA UNIVERSITY LAW ASSOCIATION

27/08/2026

Happy Birthday to Lt. Rev. Fr. Abel Daka🫂🎂

27/08/2026

Courts reopen today after security threat de-escalates - Judiciary

THE Judiciary has announced that court premises will reopen today following the de-escalation of a security threat that led to their closure.

In a memorandum issued to members of staff yesterday, Chief Administrator Yvonne Nalomba said the decision followed further advice from the security wings.

Nalomba said staff members could now resume work today.

“I wish to inform the above addressees that upon further advice from the security wings, the Judiciary has been informed that following the de-escalation of the security threat, members of staff may now report for work on the 27th August, 2026,” Nalomba stated.

The Judiciary, however, warned staff to remain alert as they return to work, saying police officers would remain visibly present at court premises.

“Members of staff should however, note that there will be police presence visible at all premises and are urged to be security conscious as they go about their business,” Nalomba stated.

The reopening comes few days after the Judiciary closed its court premises on Monday following advice from security wings over a security threat.

The closure happened on the final day of the seven-day constitutional period for filing a petition challenging the presidential election results declared by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).

The security measures had sparked public debate, with some opposition figures and members of the public questioning whether the closure was intended to prevent the filing of an election petition.

State House, however, dismissed claims that President Hakainde Hichilema had ordered the closure of the courts, saying security assessments were being conducted at several key Government institutions, including premises under the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security, National Prosecution Authority and Attorney General’s Chambers.

Meanwhile, the Judiciary later clarified that while no petition had been filed in the Constitutional Court Registry by 18:00 hours on August 24, Chief Justice Dr Mumba Malila had separately received an electronic copy of a document described as the “people’s presidential petition” through his private email.

The Judiciary said the mode of delivery was “highly irregular”, but Dr Malila had referred the documents to the Constitutional Court for consideration on the issue of whether the petition had been properly filed.

By George Musonda

Kalemba August 27, 2026

27/08/2026

*ZCSA seizes expired clear b**r, energy drinks in Lusaka valued at K4, 120*

*LUSAKA, August 26, 2026*

The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) has seized 143 bottles of expired non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages in Lusaka valued at K4, 120 in a bid to protect consumers.

The beverages, which were seized from a trading outlet in Lusaka this week, are Castle lite (35), Black label (36), Guinness (22) in the category of Clear B**r and Red bull (50) under Energy Drinks.

This followed a tip-off from a whistleblower on Sunday this week indicating that a named outlet in Lusaka was selling expired clear b**r and energy drinks contrary to the Zambian Standards - ZS 430: Clear B**r Specification, ZS 1134 Specification for Energy Drinks and the Compulsory Standards Act Chapter 422 of the laws of Zambia.

The seized and withdrawn non-compliant products are currently in ZCSA custody awaiting disposal in line with the Compulsory Standards Act.

This withdrawal represents a preventive regulatory measure aimed at protecting consumers from potential risks associated with the sale and consumption of products which are beyond their stated shelf life.

ZCSA warns of punitive actions against entities supplying non-compliant beverages and other products on the market as such products pose a risk to public health and safety.

The Agency is urging the public to be vigilant and report to the nearest ZCSA office in provincial centres or border offices or Head Office in Lusaka or through online platforms upon encountering suspicious products covered by compulsory standards.

ZCSA is committed to enforcing compulsory standards in a bid to protect the health and safety of consumers.

The Agency has enhanced its enforcement, public education and stakeholder engagements across the country to ensure that only safe products are traded on the Zambian market.

ZCSA, a Statutory Body under the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, was established by the Compulsory Standards Act, Chapter 422 of the laws of Zambia to administer, maintain and ensure compliance with compulsory standards for the purpose of public safety and health, consumer and environmental protection.

*Issued by: ORIGINAL COPY SIGNED*

*BRIAN HATYOKA| MANAGER - COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS*

*Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency*

*For more information, kindly contact ZCSA on +260 774858258 or send an email to [email protected]*

26/08/2026

Remembering the Queen of Country Music Dolly Parton, who passed away on August 25, 2026 at age 80

Share your music memories of the greatest Country Music songbird who ever lived

26/08/2026

Zambia's Chief Justice Mumba Malila has confirmed receiving an electronic copy of what has been described as "the people's presidential petition" at his private email address. The document apparently challenges President Hakainde Hichilema's re-election on August 13. In a statement, the judiciary said the chief justice found the use of his private email for official court documents "highly irregular," but had used his administrative powers to refer the documents to the Constitutional Court to determine whether the petition had been properly filed. Opposition lawyers said they resorted to emailing the chief justice after finding the courts closed on the final day of the constitutionally permitted seven-day window for filing a presidential election petition. The government meanwhile has announced that President Hichilema's swearing-in ceremony would proceed, stating that no petition had been filed within the legal deadline. Critics stress that the constitutional right to challenge an election must not be defeated by the closure of the very courts meant to receive the petition. The Judiciary has urged the public to await the Constitutional Court's determination, and to rely only on official channels for information regarding court filings.

26/08/2026

JUDICIARY SAYS NO PRESIDENTIAL PETITION FILED AS OF AUGUST 25

24/08/2026

Let me say this honestly to my good sir President HH - PROFF EX

I say this as a man who has openly called President HH one of the best leaders on this continent. So this is not about which side I am on. This is about something bigger than all of us…

Today was the one day the law gives a losing candidate Brian Mundubile to challenge the election result. Just one day. And on that day, the courts in Zambia were found locked. Gates closed. Police tape on the doors. Lawyers chased away by armed men. And the clock kept running down to a deadline that can only be met inside those very buildings.

Think about what that really means. A constitutional right you cannot use is not a right at all. It is just decoration. The law can promise you seven days to seek justice, but if they lock the doors on the last day, that promise means nothing.

And here is the part every honest Zambian should stop and think about, no matter what party colours you wear. Back in 2016, it was HH himself who felt cheated. And what did he do? He did not send people into the streets. He walked into a courtroom, because the courtroom was open to him. That is one of the reasons so many of us respected him. So the question asks itself: if that door was open for him then, why is it locked for another man now?

I am not here to say who won or who lost. I am not here to shout that the vote was stolen. I am here to ask for one simple thing that no fair person can say no to: OPEN THE COURTS. Let the man file his case. Let judges look at the evidence in broad daylight. If his case is empty, the court will throw it out quickly and the nation will move on in peace. If his case is strong, then we needed to know that anyway. Either way, justice is done.

A nation is not held together by winning. It is held together by fairness that people can see with their own eyes. Locked gates and armed men outside a courthouse do not calm a country. They scare it. They plant a seed of doubt that will grow for years.

So let the courts open my good sir. Let the process work. Let Zambia show the whole continent that here, we settle our fights with judges and not with soldiers, with evidence and not with locked court room doors.

'Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.' (Isaiah 1:17, NIV)

24/08/2026

To:
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
United Nations Human Rights Council
Geneva, Switzerland

Subject: Urgent Appeal Concerning the Closure of Courts, Denial of Electoral Justice, and Human Rights Violations in Zambia

Date: 24 August 2026
From: A Concerned Citizen of the Republic of Zambia

Dear United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights,

I write to you as a deeply concerned citizen of the Republic of Zambia to urgently notify your office of a severe and escalating human rights crisis currently unfolding in my country. Our constitutional rights, democratic freedoms, and access to justice have been systematically violated following the recently concluded national elections.

1. Closure of Courts and Denial of the Right to Petition

On the day citizens and opposition parties attempted to file petitions challenging the credibility of the election results, the Chief Justice of Zambia ordered the closure of all courts nationwide. This action has effectively blocked every legal avenue for citizens to seek redress, challenge electoral irregularities, or exercise our constitutional right to petition.

This unprecedented shutdown of the judiciary has left the nation without access to justice and has placed Zambia in a state of constitutional paralysis.

2. Military Interference in Electoral Processes

During and after the election, armed soldiers were deployed to polling stations and tallying centres, contrary to established electoral laws and democratic norms. Their presence created an atmosphere of intimidation and fear, and in several locations, military personnel were reported to have interfered with the counting and transmission of results.

This constitutes a direct violation of Zambia’s constitutional provisions and international democratic standards.

3. Manipulation of Election Results

There is widespread evidence — including videos, photographs, tally sheets, and witness testimonies — showing that:

• Polling staff affiliated with the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) announced incorrect figures.
• In multiple constituencies, presidential vote totals did not match parliamentary vote totals, despite being cast by the same voters at the same polling stations.
• In areas with turnout below 40%, presidential results were inflated to tens of thousands of votes, far exceeding the combined totals of all parliamentary candidates.
• Ballot papers were stolen, tampered with, or replaced.
• Polling agents were beaten, threatened, or chased away from tallying centres.

These irregularities strongly indicate systematic manipulation of the election outcome.

4. Declaration of a Losing Candidate as Winner

Despite credible evidence showing that the declared winner did not receive the majority of legitimate votes, the Electoral Commission announced results that contradict tally sheets from polling stations. Citizens attempting to challenge this declaration have been met with violence, arrests, and intimidation.

5. Collapse of the Rule of Law

The executive branch has taken control of all three arms of government:

• The judiciary has been shut down.
• The military has been deployed against civilians.
• The police have been used to suppress dissent.
• Citizens attempting to petition have been blocked, threatened, or assaulted.

This situation represents a complete breakdown of constitutional order and a violation of Zambia’s obligations under international human rights law.

6. Request for Immediate International Intervention

Given that local remedies are unavailable, and citizens have been deprived of access to justice, I respectfully request the following:

1. An urgent investigation by the United Nations Human Rights Council into the human rights violations and electoral manipulation in Zambia.
2. Monitoring and documentation of abuses committed by state actors, including the military and police.
3. Pressure on the Government of Zambia to reopen the courts and allow citizens to file election petitions.
4. Protection for witnesses, polling agents, and citizens who have been threatened or attacked.
5. Support for an independent international audit of the election results.

The people of Zambia are peaceful, democratic, and law‑abiding. We seek only justice, transparency, and the restoration of our constitutional rights.

7. Conclusion

I humbly appeal to the United Nations Human Rights Council to treat this matter with urgency. Zambia is at risk of descending into deeper instability if citizens continue to be denied justice and democratic freedoms.

We ask for your intervention to help safeguard our rights, our democracy, and our nation.

Yours faithfully,
A Concerned Citizen of Zambia

Paul Chilufya Mweshi.

24/08/2026

IN PICTURE

The Supreme Court premises have been closed today for “security reasons” after allegedly being secured as a crime scene. Some local courts have equally been closed, with scheduled cases adjourned to later dates. The courts will remain closed until further notice.

HOT FM ZAMBIA

News Breakers

01/09/2026

27/08/2026

27/08/2026

27/08/2026

26/08/2026

26/08/2026

26/08/2026

24/08/2026

24/08/2026

24/08/2026

Address

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Contact The Business

Shortcuts

Share

Listing takedown request