HH went through the same in 2016 but courts didn’t close – Caritas Zambia

Caritas Zambia has indicated that the abrupt […]

Caritas Zambia has indicated that the abrupt closure of courts has surprised the organisation, particularly because it happened during the final days of the constitutional period for filing a presidential election petition.

A check by the Zambian Business Times – ZBT on August 24, 2026, at major judicial facilities in Lusaka and other parts of the country revealed that the High Court, Supreme Court and Constitutional Court in Lusaka, as well as several local courts, had been closed, with authorities citing security concerns as the reason for the shutdown.

The development came as opposition presidential candidate Brian Mundubile indicated that he would challenge the outcome of the 2026 presidential election, which saw President Hakainde Hichilema secure about 60% of the vote against Mundubile’s 38%.

Speaking in an interview with Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Caritas Zambia Executive Director, Fr Gabriel Mapulanga said the timing of the closure had raised serious concerns about access to justice.

“We are surprised because the closing happened when we expect one of the biggest petitions to be given,” said Fr Mapulanga.

He said the closure occurring within the seven-day petition period could create suspicion that the process was being obstructed.

“If it happens at this time, then it brings a lot of suspicion,” said Fr Mapulanga.

Meanwhile, he stated that the presence of police and military personnel around the courts had further heightened concerns, despite authorities citing security threats.

“Even if there is a security threat, there should be a way of allowing people who may have urgent issues to be addressed,” said FrMapulanga.

He told ZBT that an election petition requires extensive preparation, including collecting evidence and other supporting materials, meaning the opposition could not necessarily be expected to file immediately after results were announced.

“A petition needs that one is well-prepared, collects the evidence, the data, all the materials that are needed, and that cannot be done in a hurried way,” said Fr Mapulanga.

He further distinguished the 2026 situation from President Hichilema’s experience after the 2016 presidential election, when Hichilema and his running mate Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba filed their petition against then-President-elect Edgar Lungu on August 19, 2016 of which the petition was accepted and proceedings commenced, although the Constitutional Court ultimately dismissed it after the constitutionally prescribed hearing period expired.

“The petition can be allowed, they even start the court proceedings, then other things can come up and they can say, ‘This case can’t go on’ or ‘This case is thrown away.’ But at least allow the petition to happen,” said Fr Mapulanga.

Meanwhile, a memo that has gone viral online does not provide details of the security situation but cites a directive from a judicial administrative official instructing all staff not to report for work following the closure of the courts for “security reasons.”

Article by Philip Sinkala, Philip is a Journalist & news analyst at the Zambian Business Times – ZBT