News Digest - Wednesday, June 24th, 2026

Our nation continues to navigate a dynamic landscape as we approach the August general elections, with political parties intensifying their campaigns and the Electoral Commission working to establish orderly conduct. Meanwhile, critical developments in infrastructure, public health, and economic governance remind us of the steady progress and persistent challenges that shape our collective future as Zambians.

Main Stories

1. Kapiri Mposhi Bypass Completed, Opening to Traffic
   The Road Development Agency has announced completion of the Kapiri Mposhi Bypass, a vital component of the Lusaka-Ndola Dual Carriageway project. RDA Chief Communications Manager Anthony Mulowa confirmed during a media tour that the bypass will divert traffic away from Kapiri Mposhi town centre, significantly easing congestion and reducing travel times for our citizens and transporters who use this crucial corridor connecting the Copperbelt to the rest of our nation.

2. ZRA Recovers Over K21.6 Million in Tax Evasion Case
   The Zambia Revenue Authority has successfully recovered K21,602,751.10 in unpaid taxes from Amfube Investment Limited of Luanshya after the company was convicted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Court for furnishing false VAT returns between October 2021 and September 2023. The company, which also failed to declare income for the 2023 charge year, was fined K30,000 and ordered to pay by 16 July 2026, in addition to refunding K250,000 for prosecution expenses—demonstrating that our institutions are strengthening enforcement against those who deprive our nation of resources meant for public services.

3. Zambia Achieves 98-98-97 HIV Targets, Calls for Global Solidarity to End AIDS by 2030
   Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr. George Sinyangwe announced at the 2026 UN High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS that Zambia has attained UNAIDS' epidemiological targets of 98% of people living with HIV knowing their status, 98% of those diagnosed on treatment, and 97% of those on treatment achieving viral suppression. However, Dr. Sinyangwe warned that rising HIV incidence among young people, drug resistance, and shrinking external financing threaten these gains, urging global leaders to renew the commitment that transformed HIV from a death sentence into a manageable condition for millions of our citizens.

4. ACC Whistleblower Statistics Reveal Concerning Enforcement Gap
   The Anti-Corruption Commission disclosed that of 922 corruption complaints received through its online anonymous whistleblower system from 2024 to date, only 72 were authorised for investigation and merely one case has proceeded to court. These figures raise serious questions about whether our nation's primary anti-corruption body is adequately resourced and empowered to act on citizens' courage in reporting wrongdoing, particularly when every uncollected kwai in evaded taxes or stolen funds represents a clinic, classroom, or road not built for our people.

Other Notable Stories

Governance & Elections:

• UPND Director General for Media Frank Bwalya stated that the Tonse Pamodzi Alliance is the only opposition grouping capable of securing a distant second or third place behind the UPND in the August elections.
• UPND Chairperson for Elections Likando Mufalali said opposition parties should thank President Hakainde Hichilema for creating a peaceful environment to mobilise, and dismissed the Mundubile alliance as no real threat if limited to one area.
• PF Pamodzi Alliance Secretary General Celestine Mukandila characterised the ECZ's campaign timetable stakeholder meeting as a "rubberstamp exercise" to legitimise unilateral decisions, while UPND Deputy Chairperson for Legal Affairs Mulambo Haimbe affirmed the ruling party's commitment to free, fair elections on 13 August.
• Gertrude Imenda stated that former PF leader Given Lubinda has every democratic right not to endorse President Hichilema, though the UPND would welcome him if he changes his mind, following Lubinda's rejection of claims he had endorsed the President.

Copperbelt Politics:

• Police arrested three Tonse Alliance members in Wusakile Constituency, Kitwe, for conduct likely to cause breach of peace after they allegedly disrupted a UPND campaign activity on Tuesday around 15:00 hours near Wusakile Local Court in Chibote, with a Toyota vehicle following and filming the UPND team during their allocated campaign week.

Sports:

• Mighty Mufulira Wanderers have signed central defender Hillary Mwiinga, 26, on a two-and-a-half-year permanent deal from Lumwana Radiants FC, bolstering their defence ahead of the new MTN Super League season following his impressive loan spell at Mutondo Stars.
• ZNAL 11 will feature the first female headline bout and first competitive youth bouts in the series' history, with Angolan fighters also participating, MMA Zambia president Henry Shoko announced.

Business & Innovation:

• Yango Zambia won the Mobility Innovation 2025 Award at Techtrends Zambia Awards and Best Customer Service Organisation of the Year – Private Sector at the Zambia Institute of Marketing awards, marking its third mobility recognition from Techtrends following wins in 2022 and 2023.

Arts & Culture:

• Actor Spaces, founded in 2016 by Ayanda Sithebe and Felicia Naiwa Sithebe, is celebrating 10 years of developing African acting talent, having facilitated over 5,000 jobs and auditions and trained more than 500 aspiring actors through its Academy, with credits including The Polygamist, The Wife, and King Shaka.

Justice & Crime:

• Police in Lusaka have detained two female juveniles aged 15 and 16 for the suspected murder of 18-year-old Taonga Phiri of Kamwala South, with a post-mortem pending at UTH to determine cause of death after the victim was found unconscious and allegedly assaulted and strangled on 21 June 2026.

Key Takeaways & Watchpoints

• Electoral conduct and enforcement: With campaign season intensifying and incidents like the Kitwe arrests emerging, watch whether the ECZ's campaign timetable effectively prevents clashes between parties, and whether law enforcement maintains impartiality as 13 August approaches—critical for preserving the peaceful political environment all Zambians deserve.

• Infrastructure delivery momentum: The Kapiri Mposhi Bypass completion signals progress on the Lusaka-Ndola Dual Carriageway, but sustained attention is needed to ensure remaining sections meet the same standards of timeliness, cost control, and quality that RDA has committed to for our nation's most important transport artery.

• Health financing vulnerability: While Zambia's 98-98-97 HIV achievement is a source of national pride, Dr. Sinyangwe's warning about contracting external financing and rising youth infections demands urgent attention from both our treasury and international partners—our hard-won gains could reverse without predictable resources.