“HH DID NOT ORDER THE CLOSURE OF THE COURTS”-State House
STATE HOUSE DENIES HICHILEMA ORDERED COURT CLOSURE
By ZR Reporter
State House has denied allegations that President Hakainde Hichilema ordered the closure of the Courts on Monday, August 24, 2026, to prevent the opposition from filing election petitions.
In a statement issued today, State House Chief Communications Specialist Clayson Hamasaka said the allegation was inconsistent with Zambia’s constitutional order and the principle of separation of powers.
Mr Hamasaka said President Hichilema had neither the constitutional authority nor the power to determine when, how or from whom the Courts receive filings.
He said the Judiciary is an independent arm of Government and that the measures implemented on Monday were not directed at the Judiciary alone.
According to State House, the Inspector General of Police had confirmed that security risk assessments were being conducted at selected key Government premises across the country.
These included institutions under the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security, the National Prosecution Authority and the Attorney General’s Chambers.
Mr Hamasaka said the operations were intelligence-led and preventive, aimed at protecting Government institutions, public officers and members of the public accessing the premises.
He argued that a security measure applied across several government arms and departments could not reasonably be characterized as an operation targeting a particular litigant.
State House cites the pandemic precedent.
State House has also rejected suggestions that the suspension of court operations was unprecedented.
Mr Hamasaka cited the pandemic, when court sittings were curtailed and court calendars disrupted nationwide as a public safety measure.
He said the suspension of court business during that period was an administrative response to circumstances on the ground and that normal operations subsequently resumed.
State House has further pointed to the timing of the court closure in relation to the presidential election petition period.
Mr Hamasaka said the Electoral Commission of Zambia declared the presidential result on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, when the constitutional window for challenging the result opened.
He said the Courts subsequently sat, received filings and conducted business on the working days that followed, but no petition challenging the presidential result was filed during that period.**
He said the law establishes the outer limit for filing a petition but does not require a petitioner to wait until the final hours of the prescribed period.
State House has challenged those claiming that a petition was prepared but could not be filed to produce the petition and evidence showing when and how an attempt was made to lodge it.
Mr Hamasaka said serious allegations against constitutional institutions require serious evidence.
State House rejects link between security measures and judicial remedies
The statement further argues that physical restrictions affecting access to Government premises should not be equated with denial of judicial remedies.
Mr Hamasaka said remedies available under Zambian law remain provided for by the Constitution and that the Courts remain available to those seeking to invoke them.
He also criticised some of the individuals now questioning the closure, accusing them of previously seeking refuge outside the country when summoned to appear before the Courts.
Mr Hamasaka said respect for the Judiciary and the rule of law should not be selective.
He maintained that the election was over and that anyone with legitimate grievances remained entitled to pursue remedies provided by law.
“Government will not stand in their way,” he said.
Mr Hamasaka, however, warned against attributing decisions of independent institutions to the President on the basis of political disappointment.
He said President Hichilema respected the constitutional independence of Zambia’s institutions and would continue to do so.
Zambia Reports | August 25, 2026