News Digest - Tuesday, September 29th, 2026

The political temperature is rising as Parliament prepares to convene, with a leadership tussle in the opposition and a firm warning from the Speaker on accessibility. Meanwhile, the Archbishop of Lusaka's arrest and release on bail has stirred public debate, and the suspension of CDF loans raises hard questions about accountability. The President is courting investment abroad, but the real test will be whether the promised growth reaches ordinary Zambians.

Main Stories

1. NRPUP leadership tussle over Leader of Opposition – The NRPUP is publicly divided over who should be Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, with Secretary-General Nonde Mubanga insisting Dag Hammarskjöld MP Ezra Tembo holds the position, contrary to reports favouring Shiwang'andu MP Stephen Kampyongo. The party claims a binding decision was made by 34 MPs, but the public contradiction suggests internal fractures that could weaken the opposition's effectiveness in the 14th National Assembly.

2. Archbishop Alick Banda arrested, released on bail – Lusaka Archbishop Alick Banda spent a night at Chimbokaila after pleading not guilty to possessing a Toyota Hilux suspected to have been unlawfully obtained from ZRA, part of a wider investigation into 22 vehicles. He was granted K80,000 bail and released Tuesday afternoon, with trial set for November 3. The case raises questions about the handling of the ZRA vehicle disposal probe and the standards of evidence – the DEC's case will need to prove knowledge of the vehicle's origins, not just possession.

3. CDF loan component suspended over poor repayment – Government has suspended the 2026 CDF loan empowerment component due to a repayment rate of just 35 per cent since 2021, redirecting funds to other areas within the CDF value-chain. The suspension is a blunt admission of a systemic failure – and the Ministry of Local Government has not given a timeline for resumption, leaving marketeers and small-scale entrepreneurs in limbo.

4. President pushes local content, copper targets in UAE – President Hichilema, on a working visit to Abu Dhabi, has called on mining companies to give full effect to the Local Content Law and challenged Mopani Copper Mines to ramp up production towards the three million-tonne annual target. The rhetoric is welcome, but the law's enforcement mechanisms and penalties for non-compliance remain unclear – and the gap between presidential ambition and on-the-ground implementation has been a recurring theme.

Other Notable Stories

Parliament and Governance:

• Speaker Nelly Mutti has urged the electorate to report MPs who don't pick up their phones, saying the Clerk's office will "deal with" such legislators. A welcome push for accountability, though the practical consequences for unresponsive MPs remain to be seen.
• Former Vice-President Enoch Kavindele has condemned Katele Kalumba's remarks and threats against President Hichilema as "despicable," noting Kalumba was previously pardoned by the President. Kalumba has been arrested for cyber harassment over a pre-election video.

Justice and Crime:

• Chipata High Court acquitted two men and a juvenile of murder after key witnesses were too intoxicated to give accurate accounts, and the victim's brother took her home rather than to hospital. The ruling highlights the challenges of securing convictions when evidence is compromised – and the tragic consequences of delayed medical care.
• A 19-year-old has been jailed for seven years for manslaughter of his parents, with the court noting his mental disorder at the time. The judge observed that drug and alcohol abuse are contributing to the prevalence of killings.
• Police in Kitwe arrested one suspect in a cattle rustling case, recovering carcasses and a vehicle, with four accomplices still at large.

Energy and Development:

• REA and UNHCR have renewed their partnership to expand electricity access to refugee settlements, building on a project that connected Meheba to the grid. The new MoU covers technical support for Meheba, Mayukwayukwa, and Mantapala – a positive step, but the scale of need remains vast.
• The UK Trade Commissioner for Africa is visiting Zambia this week to discuss mining, energy, finance, and infrastructure, with a focus on supporting the Grow Zambia Agenda.

Health and Agriculture:

• Muchinga Province has vaccinated over 8,000 livestock against anthrax, but human infections have risen to 26, with five more wild animal deaths recorded. The vaccination drive is below the 20,000 target, and the outbreak in Nabwalya chiefdom demands urgent containment.

Tourism and Culture:

• The Ministry of Tourism has launched the 2026 Diplomatic Fun Fair, set for October 3 at Lusaka Showgrounds, with over 30 countries expected to showcase their cultures. A good initiative for cultural diplomacy and domestic tourism.

Key Takeaways & Watchpoints

• Parliament's first session: Watch the election of presiding officers this Friday and the ceremonial opening on October 9, where President Hichilema will outline policy priorities. The NRPUP leadership dispute could complicate opposition organisation – and the Speaker's accessibility directive will be tested by MPs' actual conduct.
• Archbishop Banda trial: The November 3 trial will test the DEC's evidence on the ZRA vehicle probe. Watch whether the investigation expands to other vehicles and whether due process is seen to be followed, given the high-profile nature of the accused.
• CDF loan suspension: Monitor whether the Ministry announces a resumption timeline and what recovery mechanisms are put in place. The 35 per cent repayment rate is a damning indictment of the programme's design – and the impact on intended beneficiaries, especially women and youth, needs scrutiny.
• Anthrax outbreak: With human cases rising and vaccination below target, watch for further government action on containment, public awareness, and support for affected communities in Muchinga Province.