News Digest - Monday, August 18th, 2025

Zambia's governance challenges featured prominently today, with analysis revealing flaws in the Constituency Development Fund's policy framework amid ongoing political tensions ahead of the 2026 elections. Public safety concerns also surfaced following police investigations into violent crimes in Lusaka.

Main Stories

1. Zambia’s Constituency Development Fund: A Promise Undermined by Policy Flaws
   The 2024 CDF Act suffers from institutional ambiguities and fragmented governance, failing to clearly define roles for MPs, Ward Development Committees, and local authorities. Weak enforcement provisions, particularly under Section 31, further undermine accountability despite the Fund's budget increase and consolidation under Article 257 of the Constitution.

2. Fourth-year medical student found dead in suspected poisoning case, police say
   Abel Nsapato, a 22-year-old UNZA medical student reported missing on August 9, was discovered deceased behind Sun City Hotel near Muvi TV. Police found an empty pesticide bottle near his semi-decomposed body, with a postmortem confirming poisoning as the cause of death.

3. Human Rights Commission says Dr Kambwili is receiving adequate medical care
   The HRC confirmed Chishimba Kambwili is housed in Lusaka Central Correctional Facility's clinic with an elevated bed, transferred from Kasama on August 5 for court matters. Medical personnel report his health needs are being met, with no evidence of inadequate care beyond their capacity.

Other Notable Stories

Crime & Safety:

• Police investigate an aggravated robbery in Olympia where ex-employee Ezekiel Zimba and accomplices robbed an Indian couple of $1,200 and K2,000 on August 15.
• Lusaka police probe the suspected murder of an unidentified woman aged 35-40, whose body was found at the junction of Nationalist and Tokyo Way roads in Libala South.

Politics:

• UPND Deputy Spokesperson Elvis Nkandu stated changing government in 2026 won't be easy, suggesting 2041 or 2051 as more realistic timelines, and expressed openness to working with PF members.
• President Hakainde Hichilema emphasized focus on "generational prosperity," citing $54 billion in pledged investments, currency performance, and projected copper output exceeding one million tons, while blaming past debt default on PF's "reckless borrowing and profligate corruption."
• Citizens First leader Harry Kalaba claimed Zambia faces unimaginable problems if UPND is re-elected in 2026, asserting citizens are poorer now.
• Dolika Enelesi Selina Banda announced her presidential candidacy for 2026, advocating for "serious, selfless, and sober leadership" amid a strained political culture.

Finance & Regulation:

• J-ZAP demanded the Bank of Zambia revoke its suspension of interest rate caps to curb exploitation by online lenders and investigate all platforms' licensing, rates, and collection practices.

Key Takeaways & Watchpoints

• Ongoing scrutiny of the CDF Act's implementation and governance structure effectiveness.
• Police investigations into high-profile violent crimes in Lusaka, including robbery and suspected murders.
• Monitoring of Chishimba Kambwili's health status and prison conditions by the Human Rights Commission.