News Digest - Wednesday, September 10th, 2025

Malawi prepares for pivotal elections amid economic challenges, while Zambia addresses protection gaps for persons with albinism and legal proceedings against former officials. Sports setbacks and governance reforms also feature prominently in today's news landscape.

Main Stories

1. Malawi Presidential Elections
   Malawi holds presidential, parliamentary, and local government elections on September 16, with incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera facing criticism over double-digit inflation, fuel shortages, and medicine scarcity.
2. Legal Gap for Albinism Protection
   Zambia lacks laws criminalizing possession of human body parts, leaving over 25,000 persons with albinism vulnerable to attacks driven by harmful myths and ritualistic beliefs.
3. Kambwili to Defend Against Unlawful Assembly Charge
   Former Minister Chishimba Kambwili must enter his defense on September 25 after the Lusaka Magistrate’s Court found him with a case to answer for allegedly addressing an unlawful assembly at his Lusaka residence in January 2023.
4. Hichilema Vows Mining Sector Order
   President Hakainde Hichilema declared mining areas off-limits for violence and reserved artisanal mining licenses exclusively for Zambians, emphasizing legal operations and safety following over 1,400 licenses issued.
5. ZNS Soldiers Killed in Lusaka West
   Two Zambia National Service soldiers, Warrant Officer Class Two Mwila Sonkwe (45) and Staff Sergeant Potipher Tembo (42), were found dead with deep cuts at the Lusaka West furniture factory on Sunday night.
6. DPP Appeals Malanji, Yamba Sentences
   Director of Public Prosecutions Gilbert Phiri filed an appeal against the "lenient" sentences for former minister Joseph Malanji and ex-Treasury Secretary Fredson Yamba, and contested Malanji’s acquittal on a fifth count related to Royal Gibson Hotel ownership.

Other Notable Stories

• Governance & Justice:
  • Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha advised UPND officials to retain financial records for future accountability.
  • Governance activist Rueben Lifuka questioned delays in enacting lifestyle audit legislation despite UPND’s prior advocacy.
• Sports:
  • Zambia MMA seeks funding for 11 athletes to attend September’s IMMAF World Championships in Tashkent after winning five medals at the Africa Championships.
  • Chipolopolo coach Avram Grant declined to resign despite Zambia’s World Cup qualification loss to Morocco.
  • FAZ president Keith Mweemba urged no blame games after the national team’s World Cup qualifying failure.
• Politics:
  • Ikeleng'i MP Elijah Muchima expressed confidence in retaining his seat in 2026 and completing his term alongside President Hichilema in 2031.
  • PF’s Brian Mundubile asserted his party remains Zambia’s largest, citing high turnout at national events.
• Anti-Corruption:
  • Council of Churches in Zambia’s Bishop Emmanuel Chikoya urged immediate UPND action against corruption to prevent future investigations of ministers post-office.

Key Takeaways & Watchpoints

• Malawi’s September 16 elections test incumbent Chakwera amid economic strain.
• Defense proceedings begin September 25 for former minister Kambwili’s unlawful assembly case.
• Government enforces artisanal mining license exclusivity for Zambians and safety reforms.
• Investigations continue into the killing of two ZNS soldiers at Lusaka West factory.