By Darius Choonya Former Zambia Security Intelligence Service Director General Xavier Chungu has again been denied bail and will remain in custody pending the conclusion of his trial. Mr Chungu is facing several charges, including allegations that during a podcast interview recorded in Lusaka on May 24, 2026, he discussed intelligence operations and political involvement […]

By Darius Choonya

Former Zambia Security Intelligence Service Director General Xavier Chungu has again been denied bail and will remain in custody pending the conclusion of his trial.

Mr Chungu is facing several charges, including allegations that during a podcast interview recorded in Lusaka on May 24, 2026, he discussed intelligence operations and political involvement in several African countries, including Botswana, South Africa, Mozambique, Malawi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

He is also accused of uttering seditious words by allegedly claiming that those in power were the only opposition group that had attempted to rig elections.

In a ruling on his renewed bail application, Lusaka High Court Judge Lameck Mwale said the court could not entertain the application because of a Certificate of Denial of Bail issued by Director of Public Prosecutions Gilbert Phiri.

Judge Mwale said the court’s hands were tied and that it had no discretion to grant Mr Chungu bail pending trial, despite the offence for which the certificate was issued being bailable.

Mr Chungu will therefore remain in custody until his trial is concluded.

He was among the 14 presidential candidates who had sought to contest the August 13, 2026 general election under the Liberal Democrats Party before withdrawing from the race and endorsing Brian Mundubile of the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP).

– Diamond TV