TONSE ALLIANCE DEMANDS CLARITY ON EXCLUSION OF CITIZENS FROM COURT PROCEEDINGS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TONSE ALLIANCE DEMANDS CLARITY ON EXCLUSION OF CITIZENS FROM COURT PROCEEDINGS
Lusaka, 6 October 2026
The Tonse Alliance is deeply concerned by what appears to be an emerging pattern of citizens, political leaders and supporters being prevented from attending court proceedings that are ordinarily open to the public.
Yesterday in Solwezi, Hon. Chiteme and EFF President Kasonde Mwenda were prevented by police from entering the High Court premises while proceedings involving allegations of sedition against President Brian Mundubile and Vice-President Makebi Zulu were underway. They were reportedly informed that, as “high-profile” individuals, they needed to be escorted into the premises, yet no such arrangement was provided.
We are further informed that members of the Tonse Alliance attending the petition hearing involving Hon. Danny Yenga were removed from the court premises by armed police officers.
We therefore ask a simple but fundamental question: Who ordered these exclusions?
Was there a direction from the presiding judge or the Judiciary restricting public attendance? If so, what is the legal basis?
Alternatively, were these decisions made by the police on account of security concerns? If so, under what authority?
We fully recognise the legitimate responsibility of the police and court officials to maintain security, order and the integrity of judicial proceedings. However, security must not become a blanket justification for arbitrary exclusion.
The principle of open justice is fundamental to public confidence in the courts. If a hearing is open to the public, restrictions on attendance must have a lawful, reasonable and transparent basis.
We therefore call upon the Judiciary and Zambia Police Service to clarify these incidents and establish whether the decisions originated from the court or from police authorities.
We will respect the courts, but we will also defend the Constitution.
If the exclusions were lawful, explain the law.
If they were necessary for security, explain the security concern.
Justice must not only be done; it must be seen to be done.
TONSE ALLIANCE
Office of the Spokespersonb