Today’s news finds our nation at a crossroads of security and accountability: authorities in Lusaka dismantle a suspected international cybercrime ring even as State House scrambles to quash rumours of judicial interference following the presidential election result. Meanwhile, our borders get a technological boost aimed at easing trade, and the capital gears up for its biggest motoring showcase. The official narrative is confident; the questions we must ask are not.
Main Stories
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State House Denies President Ordered Court Closure to Block Petitions
State House has dismissed as false claims that President Hakainde Hichilema ordered the closure of courts to prevent opposition election petitions, with Chief Communications Specialist Clayson Hamasaka insisting the allegation is inconsistent with the Constitution and that the President lacks the authority to direct judicial operations. Hamasaka framed the security assessments at key government premises as intelligence-led and preventive, noting the Inspector General of Police confirmed the risk assessments, and pointed to precedent such as COVID-19 disruptions. The denial is emphatic, but the timing — days after the Electoral Commission declared the presidential result on August 18 — invites scrutiny, and the statement offers no independent verification of the security threat that necessitated suspending court business. -
79 Foreign Nationals and Zambians Arrested in Suspected Cybercrime Bust
Police in Lusaka arrested 79 people, including 10 Zambians, on 23rd August at Evana Estates in New Kasama, seizing 73 desktop computers, six laptops, 140 mobile phones, five Starlink kits, and 75 passports, along with 21,490 kwacha and $10,450 in cash. The joint operation with the Drug Enforcement Commission and Department of Immigration netted suspects from Uganda, China, Kenya, Ghana, Liberia, Burundi, Chad, and Zimbabwe, with authorities stating the full scale of the network and its links remain under investigation. Notably, investigators are examining whether some foreign nationals were recruited under deceptive circumstances, with human trafficking or exploitation "not ruled out" — a critical angle that must be pursued to ensure our nation is not merely a staging ground for crime but also a victim of it. -
ZRA Signs Deal for X-Ray Scanners at Livingstone Border
The Zambia Revenue Authority has contracted California-based Astrophysics Inc. to install X-ray cargo scanning technology at the Livingstone border post, a deal signed at the U.S. Embassy in Lusaka by Commissioner General Dingani Banda and Astrophysics VP Vincent Zayek. The equipment aims to cut truck wait times and curb contraband, building on the Nakonde border facility commissioned by President Hichilema in June 2026, which is now fully operational. U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Mich Coker praised the project as a model for border security and transparency, but the announcement is heavy on diplomatic praise and light on specifics — no timeline for installation, cost to the Zambian taxpayer, or projected revenue gains was provided, leaving us to take the "transparent procurement process" on faith.
Other Notable Stories
Business & Economy:
- The 16th Lusaka Motor Show 2026 is set for 28th to 30th August at Lusaka Polo Club, with exhibitors John Deere and Camco Motors already promoting their presence, powered by Professional Insurance with Sasol Techno Oil as official partner.
Key Takeaways & Watchpoints
- Watch the courts: With the presidential result declared on August 18 and the constitutional window for filing petitions ticking, citizens should monitor whether court operations resume promptly and whether any opposition petitions are filed and processed without obstruction. State House's denial must be tested against observable action.
- Follow the cybercrime investigation: Authorities say they are working to identify masterminds and examine possible human trafficking elements — the public should expect updates on charges, the fate of the 79 detainees, and any evidence of Zambian complicity or victimhood in the network.
- Demand details on the Livingstone scanners: The ZRA and U.S. Embassy celebrated the deal, but no cost, installation timeline, or performance benchmarks were shared. We should hold officials to account for delivering on the promised efficiency gains and transparency.