News Digest - Wednesday, June 10th, 2026

Our nation enters mid-June 2026 with the Copper Queens roaring to victory on home soil, our currency showing muscle at the pumps and in the motor markets, and traditional leadership passing a sacred baton after four decades of service. Meanwhile, critical questions of governance, electoral integrity, and energy security demand our collective attention as we navigate the path toward August's general election.

Main Stories

1. Copper Queens Clinch Four Nations Title in Dominant 3-0 Final Victory
   Stand-in captain Rachael Kundananji and striker Prisca Chilufya delivered a masterclass at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola, crushing Zimbabwe 3-0 to lift the Four Nations Tournament trophy. Kundananji opened the scoring in the 40th minute with a display of pure determination—lobbing the goalkeeper and outpacing a defender—before Chilufya sealed the brace with clinical finishes in the 60th and 64th minutes. This triumph on home soil gives our Copper Queens the momentum they need as they turn their sights to next month's Women Africa Cup of Nations, proving once again that Zambian women's football commands continental respect.

2. Kwacha Strength Breathes Life into Motor Vehicle Market
   The Kwacha's sustained appreciation to around K17-K18 per US dollar is restoring confidence among used car importers in Kitwe and beyond, reducing the cost of importing vehicles and spare parts and easing pressure on businesses that had been suffocated by exchange rate volatility. Importer Michael Phiri noted that stability will be critical to encourage dealers to rebuild stock levels and offer competitive prices, while Webster Chanda of Chingola predicted consumers will soon return to showrooms after delaying purchases during weaker currency periods. For ordinary Zambians dreaming of their first family car or reliable transport for their trade, this currency recovery translates from economic statistic to tangible possibility.

3. Vice-President Nalumango Announces Zero-Rating of Tax on Water Treatment Chemicals
   Government has zero-rated tax on water treatment chemicals, a move Vice-President Mutale Nalumango says will reduce costs for water supply and sanitation companies and expand access to safe drinking water for our people. Speaking at the 14th Zambia Water Forum and Exhibition, she acknowledged that national access to safe drinking water reaches only approximately two-thirds of our population, with basic sanitation coverage below half—stark inequalities that demand urgent redress. The administration is also reviewing the Water Supply and Sanitation Act to strengthen governance, while promoting public-private partnerships to mobilise resources for climate-resilient infrastructure including dams, boreholes and sanitation facilities.

4. ZAMPOST Retirees Receive K48 Million in Terminal Benefits
   Government has released K48 million for payment of terminal benefits to Zambia Postal Services Corporation retirees, marking the third phase of efforts to settle long-outstanding obligations to former employees who served our nation. Postmaster General Lydia Simakando confirmed the funds will be disbursed on a first-retired, first-paid basis to ensure fairness and transparency, building on previous disbursements of K25 million and K30 million. This intervention directly addresses the dignity of public servants who waited patiently through years of uncertainty, aligning with President Hakainde Hichilema's vision to restore hope in citizens' livelihoods.

5. ZESCO Assures Nation: No Return to Load Shedding This Year
   ZESCO Managing Director Justin Loongo has given Zambians welcome certainty, confirming that enhanced generation capacity from hydro, thermal and solar sources—alongside strengthened partnerships with Independent Power Producers—has improved grid resilience enough to avoid nationwide load shedding this year and beyond. The utility will next week host media tours of generation facilities in Maamba and Livingstone to demonstrate progress, though Loongo cautioned that isolated outages from vandalism or network faults may still occur and urged prompt public reporting. For our businesses, hospitals, schools and homes, this stability removes a burden that had become painfully normal during the severe 2023/2024 drought.

6. DNA Report Excludes ZAF Officer as Father in Incest Case, But Confirms Paternity of Victim
   A DNA report presented before Lusaka Magistrates' Court has excluded a 41-year-old Zambia Air Force flight sergeant as the biological father of the baby born to his 14-year-old daughter, though forensic analyst Innocent Makasa clarified the findings cannot conclusively determine whether sexual intercourse occurred. The DNA did confirm the accused is the biological father of the victim herself. The accused maintains his innocence, alleging his 21-year-old nephew had a sexual relationship with the girl, and noting the victim and her mother were in Chiawa during the established conception period in August 2024. This case raises profound questions about child protection within our institutions and families that extend far beyond this single courtroom.

7. ACC Expands Arrests in K300 Million Ministry of Fisheries Livestock Project Scandal
   The Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested five additional officials from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock and added charges against three previously arrested suspects in the alleged misappropriation of over K300 million from the US$10 million Sustainable Livestock Infrastructure Management Project. Among those facing new or additional charges are Accountant Emmanuel Chilala (over K136.5 million), Senior Livestock Production Officer Ackim Mwalilino (over K11.8 million), Principal Livestock Research Officer Henry Sichone (over K17 million), Chief Accountant Philip Kambole Sikazwe (over K39 million plus properties), SLIMP Project Coordinator Andrew Chongwe (over K98 million), and Principal Accountant Clara Nkandu Muonga. These arrests demonstrate that accountability mechanisms are pursuing alleged corruption at significant scale, though the case also reveals how public resources intended for rural livestock development may have been diverted from the farmers who needed them most.

8. Malawi's King M'belwa V Oversees Transition as Ngoni Mourn Mpezeni IV
   Following the burial of Paramount Chief Mpezeni IV at Ephendukeni Palace in Chipata on June 8, Malawi's King M'belwa V announced that a crown prince will act as regent until formal coronation after the traditional one-year mourning period. Mpezeni IV, born David Njengembaso Jere, died at 75 after a 44-year reign that made him one of the most constant presences in Zambian traditional leadership. President Hakainde Hichilema joined thousands in bidding farewell, describing the late chief as a "great son of Zambia" whose contributions to agriculture and promotion of the Ncwala ceremony enriched our national heritage. The orderly succession process, with M'belwa holding the right to anoint the next Mpezeni, reflects the enduring cross-border bonds of the Ngoni people and the resilience of our customary institutions.

9. Constitutional Court Sets June 16 Status Conference in HH Eligibility Petition
   The Constitutional Court has scheduled June 16, 2026, for a status conference in the petition challenging President Hakainde Hichilema's eligibility to contest the August 13 general election, filed by UPND senior member Charles Longwe. Longwe contends the party failed to hold a valid convention before the President's nomination on May 22, citing Articles 60 and 128 of the Constitution; the full bench is expected to hear the petition on June 19. UPND Secretary-General Batuke Imenda argues the issues concern the party constitution rather than the Republican Constitution, while President Hichilema is represented by State Counsel Mulambo Haimbe and a team including former Justice Minister Michael Moono. The court's resolution of this matter will carry significant implications for electoral preparations already underway across our nation.

Other Notable Stories

Governance & Justice:

• Police have arrested four additional male suspects at Protea Hotel in Chipata on June 9, bringing to nine the total arrests connected to the June 5 violence between UPND and Tonse Pamodzi Alliance cadres in Chawama; the four—Ricky Chambawilo (43), Thomas Mvula (41), Peter Mwaba (42), and Rickson Phiri (46)—face charges including aggravated robbery, malicious damage to property, assault and unlawful wounding. (Mwebantu)
• Inspector General of Police Graphel Musamba has ordered provincial commanders nationwide to swiftly identify, arrest and prosecute perpetrators of electoral violence, following incidents in Mazabuka Central, Chawama, and Kabwe Central constituencies; campaign activities in Mazabuka Central remain suspended, while six suspects were arrested in Kabwe for proposing violence after a June 7 incident at Chowa Police Station. (Mwebantu)
• The Zambia Police Service, through spokesperson Godfrey Chilabi, has emphasised that arrests focus on offences committed rather than political affiliation, responding to Tonse Alliance concerns about selective enforcement following the Chawama clashes. (News Diggers!)

Economy & Mining:

• First Quantum Minerals' 2025 Tax Transparency and Economic Contributions report shows the company's tax payments to Zambia reached $902 million, exceeding its entire 2020 economic footprint in the country, with the Kansanshi S3 expansion triggering over 12,000 direct jobs, $389 million in salaries, and $2.14 billion in procurement from over 1,500 Zambian-registered suppliers. (Mwebantu)

Energy & Infrastructure:

• President Hakainde Hichilema is expected today at Mulungushi University in Kapiri Mposhi to address UPND candidates for the August 13 general election and inspect progress on student hostels and a standby electricity substation ordered to address power challenges; Central Province Permanent Secretary Milner Mwanakampwe confirmed the working visit. (Zambia Daily Mail)

Media & Sport:

• ZNBC has secured broadcast rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with live coverage beginning June 11 on ZNBC TV1; Head of Corporate Affairs Yvette Chanda called on corporate partners to sponsor coverage of the tournament hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. (ZNBC)
• Orlando Pirates have signed 27-year-old Zambian winger Ghampani Lungu from Siwelele FC, unveiling him alongside three other new arrivals as the reigning Betway Premiership champions reshape their squad for the 2026/27 season. (News Diggers!)
• Zambia Athletics celebrated young athletes who collected two gold, three silver and two bronze medals at the Southern African Confederation of Athletics Championships in Mauritius on June 6-7. (News Diggers!)

Social & Community:

• In Sioma, Western Province, men are stepping forward as champions of positive masculinity following YWCA training on gender-based violence prevention; participant Evans Tiyeho admitted he previously abused his wife and children but now recognises such behaviour as wrong, and pledged to scale interventions from homes to community gatherings. (Zambia Daily Mail)
• Police in Western Province recovered 43 stolen cattle valued at K370,500 on June 9 in a dense bush in the Pezo area, Lukulu District, following a June 6 attack involving murder, aggravated robbery and arson; three burn victims have been transferred for specialised treatment and a manhunt continues for suspects. (ZNBC)

Political Developments:

• Former President Edgar Lungu deserves burial with full military protocols as a former Commander-in-Chief, President Hichilema stated during Chief Mpezeni IV's requiem mass, responding to Bishop George Lungu's homily urging government and family to lay the sixth President to rest; the former President died in South Africa a year ago. (Zambia Daily Mail)
• Gary Nkombo, suspended from campaigning in Mazabuka Central, has asked UPND Secretary-General Batuke Imenda and the party to "leave me alone," insisting he left the ruling party and should campaign freely; the Electoral Commission suspended all campaign activities in the constituency after police blocked Nkombo's launch and used tear gas on his supporters. (News Diggers!)
• Former PF deputy secretary general Mumbi Phiri stated she does not sympathise with Gary Nkombo over his treatment, claiming he "created the savages" now harassing him and asserting the UPND administration has failed to fulfil campaign promises. (News Diggers!)

Key Takeaways & Watchpoints

• Electoral Environment: With the Constitutional Court scheduled to hear President Hichilema's eligibility petition on June 19, and campaign suspensions already imposed in Mazabuka Central alongside rising political violence in multiple constituencies, the pre-election period demands vigilant attention to whether security measures and judicial processes can maintain fair and peaceful campaign conditions through August 13.

• Energy Resilience Verification: ZESCO's bold assurance against load shedding will be tested by the approaching dry season and any recurrence of climate stress; the promised media tour of generation facilities offers an opportunity for public scrutiny of whether infrastructure investments truly match the utility's confident projections.

• FQM Mining Contribution Scrutiny: The reported $902 million in taxes and massive local procurement from First Quantum Minerals warrants continued monitoring to verify that policy reforms translating into corporate expansion deliver sustained, transparent benefits to Zambian communities and treasury rather than temporary gains that distort long-term revenue expectations.