“Free Brian Mundubile: Kalaba Urges Hichilema to Heal Zambia”

“Free Brian Mundubile: Kalaba Urges Hichilema to Heal Zambia” From EMV Lusaka, September 2026 — “President Hichilema holds the key to bringing calm to Zambia after the fractious August 13 elections,” declared Harry Kalaba, Citizens First (CF) President, in a widely followed podcast hosted by the US based Emmanuel Mwamba. His urgent call: the immediate […]

“Free Brian Mundubile: Kalaba Urges Hichilema to Heal Zambia”

From EMV

Lusaka, September 2026 — “President Hichilema holds the key to bringing calm to Zambia after the fractious August 13 elections,” declared Harry Kalaba, Citizens First (CF) President, in a widely followed podcast hosted by the US based Emmanuel Mwamba.

His urgent call: the immediate release of opposition leader Brian Mundubile, lawyer Makebi Zulu, retired Anglican Bishop Trevor Mwamba (68), and dozens of others detained at Mukobeko Maximum Prison in Kabwe.

Kalaba beseeched:

“We must stop banding Zambians into two camps — the victors and the vanquished. We are one Zambia; one people and election is just an election not a war.”
A Plea for Unity
Kalaba disclosed he has “quietly” written to President Hichilema, appealing for compassion and peace over Mundubile. He admitted being “crushed” by the sudden death of Mutotwe Kafwaya, aged 49, just days before his 50th birthday.

“Kafwaya was like a brother. When he died, I was gripped with deep grief. At his house, I found few mourners — Zambians were afraid to gather and mourn, living in fear.”

Kalaba said he personally called Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa to mourn with the family on behalf of the government, underscoring the climate of fear gripping the nation.

Healing, Not Settling Scores

Kalaba stressed that CF now 51 councillors and two lawmakers from the recent post but complained that some of his members have been arrested since August.

“To heal the divide is to stop settling scores by victors. Brian is my childhood friend — we even planned to form a party together as far back as 2004 when leaving MMD. Now he sits in Mukobeko. That is not how democracy works, I love the brother and all detained to be released to start healing.”
He cited examples of restraint in Zambia’s past:

• Levy Mwanawasa never arrested Anderson Mazoka after a disputed poll and self declaration.
• Dr. Kenneth Kaunda peacefully handed power to Frederick Chiluba in 1991.
• Michael Sata took over from Rupiah Banda without reprisals.
• Edgar Lungu conceded to Hichilema in 2021 smoothly.

“If I were President, I would visit the home of hon. Mutotwe Kafwaya, I would talk to foes in jail such as Brian Mundubile and Makebi. The nation needs to heal. Zambia will continue long after politicians are gone, we are mortal, the country is immortal.”

Global Parallels

Kalaba drew comparisons with contested elections abroad:
• Al Gore vs. George W. Bush (2000, USA) — resolved through the courts.
• Raila Odinga vs. Mwai Kibaki (2007, Kenya) — which descended into violence.
• Peter Mutharika (Malawi, 2019–2020) — annulled and re run peacefully.
“Mr Hichilema missed an opportunity to validate his own election. First, you vote, then a winner is announced, then seven days are given for petitions. That step was skipped. I have not yet congratulated him because the election cycle was incomplete.”

*A Call to Moderation*

Kalaba urged moderation in rhetoric:
“Let’s stop shouting at each other and talk together. I want Brian to provide checks and balances from outside detention with his family, not from Mukobeko Maximum Prison. I have appealed to the First Lady Mutinta to put herself in the shoes of Bishop Mwamba’s wife, of Brian’s wife, of Kafwaya’s widow, the wives of all jailed men.”

He added:
“We must be ashamed of ourselves to have friends in jail 62 years after independence. The person key in getting Brian and Makebi out of detention is President Hichilema. He has the key.”
Reports suggest 400 detainees, possibly more, remain behind bars, government has not commented.

“People need to be released for talks to start the healing. My plan is to visit Brian and Makebi as soon as possible to see how peace can be reached.”
He said, “we must reclaim the good credentials of democracy of Zambia, President Hichilema has the key.”
The August poll has received harsh criticism from the international community such as the UN, AU, SADC, EU, AI and Mo Ibrahim while Kalaba is a former long serving Minister of Foreign Affairs in Zambia and a former lawmaker.
Kalaba said the President of Zambia Mr Hichilema must use laws of jurisprudence to free Brian Mundubile and other detainees then work on means to ensure the fiasco does not recur in Zambia.

Source: EMV Podcast.