News Digest - Wednesday, May 13th, 2026

The 13th Session of the National Assembly adjourned sine die yesterday and is set to dissolve on Friday ahead of the August 13 general elections, concluding a legislative marathon that saw the passage of landmark bills including the Public Gatherings Bill and the Constitutional Amendment Bill. Our republic has also received a fleet of 80 vehicles from the People’s Republic of China to bolster election security, while Minister of Mines Paul Kabuswe confirmed that copper production from large-scale mines grew to 198,930 metric tonnes in the first quarter of 2026. From the chambers of Parliament to the classrooms of Western Province, today’s developments remind us that our nation is simultaneously preparing for the polls and laying the groundwork for long-term progress.

Main Stories

1. Parliament Adjourns Ahead of August Elections After Passing Landmark Bills
   Speaker Nelly Mutti adjourned the 13th Session of the National Assembly sine die yesterday, with dissolution set for Friday to clear the constitutional path for the August 13 general elections. Lawmakers concluded a demanding session that considered more than 70 bills, including the Electoral Process Bill, the Constitutional Amendment Bill introducing mixed-member proportional representation for women, youth and persons with disabilities, and the Public Gatherings Bill.

2. New Law Raises Public Gathering Threshold from Three to Seven
   Parliament passed the Public Gatherings Bill of 2026, raising the minimum number of people constituting a public gathering from three to seven ahead of notification to authorities, a change Home Affairs Minister Jack Mwiimbu said responds directly to public concerns. Once President Hakainde Hichilema assents to the bill, it will repeal and replace the colonial-era Public Order Act of 1955, which has governed public meetings and political rallies for over seven decades.

3. China Donates 80 Vehicles to Support Election Security
   The Government of the People’s Republic of China has handed over a fleet of 80 operational vehicles to Zambia to enhance security operations during the August 2026 general elections, a gesture the Ministry of Home Affairs said underscores the deep-rooted diplomatic partnership between our two nations. Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister Jack Mwiimbu received the donation and affirmed that the vehicles will help our security agencies maintain law and order as political activities intensify across our country.

4. Copper Production Rises as Mining Sector Shows Continued Growth
   Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Paul Kabuswe announced that Zambia’s mining sector has continued recording positive growth, with copper production from large-scale mines increasing from 195,418.89 metric tonnes in the first quarter of 2025 to 198,930 metric tonnes during the corresponding period in 2026. This upward trend reinforces the pivotal role that copper plays in driving our national economic output and sustaining the livelihoods of thousands of Zambian families.

5. Government Launches Centralised Property Management System
   The government has launched a Property Management Information System aimed at modernising the public sector by creating, for the first time, a comprehensive real-time database of all state-owned properties across our nation. Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Permanent Secretary Albert Malama said the platform, integrated with the Government Service Bus, will strengthen accountability, improve maintenance planning, and support the ease of doing business agenda through better inter-agency coordination.

6. Solwezi General Hospital Renovation Reaches Major Milestone
   Phase One renovation works at Solwezi General Hospital have gained significant momentum, with three of six targeted inpatient wards now fully completed and handed over for use. Senior Medical Superintendent Kitanda Sondashi confirmed that the refurbished wards are already serving patients, marking tangible progress in our national effort to improve healthcare delivery in North-Western Province.

7. Mande Primary School in Nalolo to Receive First Classroom Block After Four Decades
   After 40 years of operating without a standard classroom block, Mande Primary School in Nanjucha Ward of Nalolo District will finally receive a 1×3 classroom block fitted with solar power within the next two weeks. Nalolo Town Council Public Relations Officer Buttyson Kandimba disclosed that the project, valued at K511,150.49, represents a long-overdue investment in learning infrastructure that will give our children in Western Province a dignified environment to pursue their education.

8. DEC Arrests 36 for Drug Trafficking at Chongwe Music Festival
   The Drug Enforcement Commission and Zambia Police arrested 36 suspects during a joint operation at the One Love Reggae Festival, known as the Jah Night Musical Concert, held at Mika Convention Centre in Silverest, Chongwe District. Officers seized more than four kilogrammes of high-grade cannabis, baked goods including scones and cakes allegedly laced with cannabis, and several bottles of Benylin with codeine, as the commission warned that turning public entertainment events into drug markets poses a serious threat to public health and the safety of our young people.

9. Outgoing Education Minister Reflects on Toxicity in Sector
   Outgoing Education Minister Douglas Syakalima revealed that he found a toxic environment characterised by hatred among individuals when he took office, but said he did what was humanly possible to correct the situation. In his farewell to ministry staff, Syakalima recalled asking President Hakainde Hichilema for blanket authority to travel throughout the country to address the animosity that was undermining collaboration in our education system.

Other Notable Stories

Governance & Justice:

• Speaker Nelly Mutti ruled that six PF MPs alleged to have defected to the UPND had merely expressed interest in joining, not formally crossed the floor. Tonse Alliance president Brian Mundubile described the ruling as unfortunate and warned that all Bills passed with participation from those MPs would be revisited if there is a change of government, while Lukashya PF MP George Chisanga said the ruling demonstrates a breakdown in the constitutional system.
• The Zambia Police Service has opened an investigation into a confrontation between a traffic officer and a passenger recorded on May 12 in the Kabwata area of Lusaka. Police Public Relations Officer Godfrey Chilabi said the passenger was interviewed and released as inquiries continue, with the service urging mutual respect between officers and road users.

Politics:

• Ikelen’gi UPND MP Dr Elijah Muchima and former Small and Medium Enterprise Development Minister Elias Mubanga have announced they will not contest the 2026 parliamentary elections, months after President Hakainde Hichilema dismissed them from cabinet in February over their reported failure to support Bill 7.
• Former Patriotic Front minister Jean Kapata has declared that the PF has been destroyed by the UPND government and expressed doubt the party will feature on the August ballot, urging members to rally behind its anticipated special purpose vehicle.
• Joseph Willah Mudolo says he is considering standing as an independent presidential candidate in the August 13 elections and intends to return to Zambia by May 18 to begin campaigning.
• Mumbi Phiri has called on Vice-President Mutale Nalumango to retire and make way for younger leaders, reacting to Nalumango’s statement that she would remain in office because government was not dissolving like the opposition.

Sports:

• NAPSA Stars kept their MTN Super League survival hopes alive with a commanding 2-0 victory over nine-man Zanaco at the Reiz Arena, with goals from Dickson Chapa and Austin Banda after the visitors had Wilson Chisala and Frederick Mwimanzi sent off in a chaotic display.
• Nkana and ZESCO United meet this afternoon at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in the week 32 Kopala derby, with Nkana seeking a league double over their Ndola rivals after Idris Mbombo and Jacob Ngulube secured a 2-1 win in January.

Infrastructure & Development:

• Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Tuesday Bwalya has cautioned contractor M and N Industrial Merchants over the slow pace of works on the 53-kilometre Cheswa-Chungulo to Chinsali gravel road in Chinsali District.

Diplomacy:

• President Hakainde Hichilema has called on the Southern African region to uphold the legacy of former Botswana President Festus Mogae, describing him as a rare statesman of integrity before signing the Book of Condolences at the Botswana Embassy in Lusaka. Acting Botswana High Commissioner Oabona Dibeela said President Hichilema’s gesture reflects the lasting ties and solidarity between Zambia and Botswana.

Key Takeaways & Watchpoints

1. Parliament’s dissolution on Friday will officially trigger the campaign period for the August 13 general elections, placing our electoral institutions and national security preparations under immediate focus as political activity intensifies nationwide.
2. The Public Gatherings Bill awaits presidential assent, and its enactment will repeal the colonial-era 1955 Public Order Act, establishing a new legal framework for public meetings and demonstrations that will shape the landscape of civic engagement during the election season.
3. Copper production from large-scale mines rose to 198,930 metric tonnes in the first quarter of 2026, signaling that sustained momentum in our mining sector will remain central to national revenue, economic stability, and the broader development aspirations of our republic.