UPND Denies Blame



Government says process lies with South African courts

By Francis Maingaila ♥️ 
Lusaka, Zambia24 – (17-02-2026) –
LUSAKA – The United Party for National Development (UPND) says the State cannot be blamed for delays in the burial of the former Head of State, insisting that the process lies entirely within the jurisdiction of South African courts.

Addressing the media, UPND Media Director Mark Simuuwe said the central focus of the briefing was to clarify government’s position on the burial dispute and respond to allegations that President Hakainde Hichilema interfered in the matter.

Simuuwe said the legal proceedings that followed the initial court decision in South Africa were not initiated by the Zambian government. He stated that subsequent appeals and applications were filed by representatives of the family, contributing to the delay in enforcing the court’s ruling.

“The legal battle that followed the first court decision was not pursued by the State. Those processes were undertaken by family representatives. It is therefore incorrect to blame the government or the President for the delay,” Simuuwe said.

He emphasized that South Africa is a sovereign state with its own legal institutions and procedures, and Zambia must respect that jurisdiction. 

According to Simuuwe, it would be inappropriate to politicise the issue or drag the President into what he described as a legal process being handled outside Zambia.

Economy and Exchange Rate
Beyond the burial dispute, Simuuwe also addressed concerns about the performance of the kwacha and the dollar exchange rate, attributing recent gains to policy reforms and increased foreign investment.

He cited growth in the mining sector, expansion in solar energy projects, and rising tourism arrivals as factors strengthening foreign exchange inflows. Simuuwe said when investors bring capital into the country, it increases the supply of foreign currency and supports the stability of the local currency.

He added that price adjustments in commodities do not occur immediately, as they are influenced by market forces and global factors such as oil prices.

Social and Energy Interventions
Simuuwe further highlighted government programmes including Cash for Work, the expansion of the School Feeding Programme, and insurance coverage for small-scale farmers. He also pointed to ongoing efforts to increase solar energy generation as part of broader reforms aimed at strengthening energy security.

Call for Responsible Debate
The UPND official maintained that Zambia remains a democratic country where citizens are free to express divergent views. However, he urged political players to avoid what he termed misleading narratives and instead offer alternative solutions.

Simuuwe said the government remains focused on economic recovery, investment attraction and maintaining political stability, while allowing legal processes in South Africa to conclude without interference.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Brother, A Leader, A Lesson

Image
 Bishop Mwamba’s Tribute to Lungu Lusaka, Zambia24, Thursday, June 5, 2025 – United National Independence Party (UNIP) President Bishop Trevor Mwamba has paid tribute to the late Sixth Republican President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, describing him as a man of the people, a personal friend, and a national figure whose life and leadership offer Zambia both memory and lesson. In a statement delivered Thursday, Bishop Mwamba extended condolences to the Lungu family, the Patriotic Front, and the entire nation, while encouraging citizens to reflect not only on the man Lungu was, but on the legacy he leaves behind. “I, Bishop Trevor Mwamba, extend my sincere sympathies to the Lungu family, the Patriotic Front, and the Zambian people on the passing of His Excellency Edgar Chagwa Lungu,” he said.  “As President of UNIP, I also convey our party’s deep condolences at this moment of national loss.” Recalling Lungu as his former classmate, Mwamba spoke warmly of the former president’s personal qualities—h...
Read more

Bishops Decry DEC Summons

Image
ZCCB Warns Against Using State Institutions to Silence Church Leaders By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24  --- (3-01-2026) - The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) has condemned in the strongest terms the Drug Enforcement Commission’s (DEC) summons of Lusaka Archbishop Alick Banda, describing it as a brazen attempt to intimidate the Church and silence its voice on governance. ZCCB President Archbishop Ignatius Chama said in a statement that the Bishops stand in unwavering solidarity with Archbishop Banda, who is scheduled to appear before the Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit of the DEC on 5 January 2026.  The summons, delivered on 31 December 2025, comes amid a wave of public attacks and derogatory remarks against the Archbishop. The Bishops labelled the DEC action as unmistakably state-sponsored harassment, designed to punish Archbishop Banda for speaking truth to power and holding the government accountable.  Bishop Chama warned that weaponizing state institut...
Read more

Opposition Meets ECZ Over Voter Concerns

Image
Lungu says the Dialogue focused on transparency and voter registration ahead of 2026 polls. By Francis Maingaila Lusaka, Zambia24 -- (October 25, 2025) -- Leaders from the United Opposition Front (UOF) have met with the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to discuss concerns surrounding voter registration and other electoral matters ahead of the 2026 general election. The meeting, held at the ECZ Headquarters in Lusaka, brought together opposition parties including The Zambia We Want, the Socialist Party, and the United Liberal Party among others. It was chaired by the ECZ Chairperson and attended by senior officials from the Commission. Speaking shortly after the meeting, Muhabi Lungu, Secretary General of The Zambia We Want, said the engagement was constructive and aimed at promoting transparency and mutual trust between the Commission and political parties.  “We met with the ECZ to share our concerns, particularly on voter registration, and to discuss how we can ensure the process ...
Read more