News Digest - Friday, September 25th, 2026

Zambia’s week is defined by the steady machinery of state appointments, a high-profile sedition case that keeps stalling, and a diplomatic push at the UN General Assembly anchored on the Grow Zambia Agenda. Meanwhile, the arrest of a former minister over alleged cyber harassment raises fresh questions about the boundaries of free speech in the post-election period.

Main Stories

1. Mundubile sedition case adjourned again – The seditious practices case against Tonse Alliance leader Brian Mundubile and running mate Makebi Zulu failed to proceed in Solwezi after Mundubile said his lawyers were absent. The court set October 5 for plea, while the duo remain separately charged with treason in the High Court over alleged militia links. The repeated adjournments – and the fact that the accused are being shuttled between Mukobeko Maximum Correctional Facility and court – will fuel concerns about due process, though the state insists the law is being followed.

2. Zambia and US deepen ties at UNGA – Foreign Affairs Minister Mulambo Haimbe, representing President Hichilema at the 81st UN General Assembly, met US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Chris Kulukundis, with both sides committing to cooperation on health, investment, critical minerals and border transparency. The US reaffirmed Zambia’s standing as a strategic partner, and the talks were framed around the Grow Zambia Agenda. The rhetoric is warm, but the proof will be in concrete investment flows – and whether the critical minerals partnership translates into local value addition, not just raw exports.

3. Former minister Katele Kalumba arrested for cyber harassment – Police in Kabwe have charged former Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Katele Kalumba with harassment under the Cyber Crimes Act, alleging he published content intended to humiliate President Hichilema. Kalumba was arrested in Chienge and released on bond. The arrest follows a pattern of similar cases, including the detention of Socialist Party leader Fred M’membe earlier this year – and raises legitimate questions about whether the law is being used to protect the President’s dignity or to chill legitimate criticism.

4. Patricia Malaila sworn in as Deputy Auditor General – President Hichilema has sworn in Patricia Malaila as Deputy Auditor General – Audit Division, in a ceremony at State House. The appointment is a routine administrative matter, but the Auditor General’s office will be central to holding the government accountable on the ambitious Grow Zambia Agenda – so the choice of deputies matters more than the ceremony suggests.

Other Notable Stories

Diplomacy: Zambia has used its first days at UNGA81 to establish diplomatic relations with three new partners, deepen ties with Malawi and Cuba, and engage the European Union, with EU Commissioner Jozef Sikela reaffirming Zambia’s standing as a “beacon of democracy” while encouraging respect for the rule of law. The diplomatic offensive is impressive, but the rule-of-law nod carries weight given the ongoing detention of opposition figures.

Legal and Governance: The swearing-in of Malaila follows a pattern of recent appointments, including the ECZ vice chairperson and commissioner sworn in four months ago. The President has also previously urged institutions like the ACC to investigate thoroughly before arresting – a standard that critics will now apply to the Kalumba case.

Key Takeaways & Watchpoints

• Mundubile and Zulu’s next court date: October 5 is set for plea in the Solwezi sedition case – watch whether the defence is ready and whether the treason case in the High Court proceeds on schedule, as delays will only deepen suspicions of political manipulation.
• Cyber harassment enforcement: The Kalumba arrest sets a precedent – watch how the courts interpret the Cyber Crimes Act’s harassment provisions, and whether the state applies the same standard to all citizens, not just opposition figures.
• US-Zambia follow-through: The UNGA commitments on critical minerals and investment need to move from statements to signed agreements – watch for concrete announcements on value-addition projects and whether the Grow Zambia Agenda’s targets are reflected in any new partnerships.