CHIEFS DEMAND SPEEDY COURT ACTION IN MUNDUBILE, ZULU TREASON CASE
CHIEFS DEMAND SPEEDY COURT ACTION IN MUNDUBILE, ZULU TREASON CASE
Traditional leaders have called for opposition figures Brian Mundubile, Makebi Zulu and 16 others facing treason charges to be brought before the courts without further delay, saying the judicial process should be allowed to take its course.
Chief Mpepo, Chief Mabumba and Chief Kalaba made the call after visiting the detained politicians at Mukobeko Maximum Correctional Facility on Friday.
In a statement issued after the visit, the traditional leaders said they had interacted with Mundubile, Zulu and the other detainees and found them in good health and high spirits, despite what they described as difficulties in accessing the inmates.
The chiefs also commended Zambia Correctional Service officers for maintaining professionalism during their visit.
According to the traditional leaders, the detainees expressed a desire to appear before court and have their cases heard.
“They have called for the incarcerated individuals to appear before the courts as quickly as possible because there is need for justice to be served,” the chiefs said.
The call comes amid continued questions over the length of time the 18 suspects have spent in custody without the treason matter being brought before court. The Director of Public Prosecutions has previously said investigations into the treason allegations were still ongoing.
The chiefs also used the visit to appeal for political differences to be resolved peacefully, urging political leaders and their supporters to promote unity, tolerance and respect regardless of political affiliation.
CHIEFS SEEK ANSWERS OVER KAFWAYA DEATH
The traditional leaders further called for clarity surrounding the death of former Lunte Member of Parliament Mutotwe Kafwaya.
They questioned who authorised what they described as the killing of the former lawmaker and called for appropriate legal processes to establish the circumstances surrounding his death.
“There should be respect for human life and dignity. There is need for justice to prevail in this matter. We want appropriate legal processes to take their course,” they said.
The chiefs also invoked Zambia’s declaration as a Christian nation, saying respect for human life and dignity should remain central to the handling of the matter.
MUNDUBILE, ZULU FACE SEPARATE SEDITION CASE
The call by the traditional leaders comes as Mundubile and Zulu face a separate legal matter involving allegations of seditious practices.
The two appeared before the Solwezi Magistrates’ Court on September 25, but the proceedings were adjourned after Mundubile sought more time because his lawyers were not present. Zulu also sought an adjournment to allow the defence to prepare.
Principal Resident Magistrate Mambwe Mukonde subsequently adjourned the matter to October 5 and 6, 2026, for plea and further proceedings.
The sedition case is separate from the treason matter involving the two opposition figures and 16 others.
The treason case has yet to come before court, with the State maintaining that investigations must be completed before the accused persons are taken to court.
The latest developments have therefore placed renewed focus on the prolonged detention of the 18 suspects and the need for the treason allegations to proceed through the judicial system.