Lawyers Give UPND Media Director 48 Hours to Retract Claims About Augustine Mukoka LUSAKA, Zambia, Sept. 30, 2026 — Lawyers representing journalist and governance advocate Augustine Mukoka have issued a 48-hour demand to United Party for National Development (UPND) Media Director Mark Simuuwe, calling on him to withdraw and retract statements questioning Mukoka’s nationality and […]

Lawyers Give UPND Media Director 48 Hours to Retract Claims About Augustine Mukoka

LUSAKA, Zambia, Sept. 30, 2026 — Lawyers representing journalist and governance advocate Augustine Mukoka have issued a 48-hour demand to United Party for National Development (UPND) Media Director Mark Simuuwe, calling on him to withdraw and retract statements questioning Mukoka’s nationality and to cease what they describe as defamatory remarks and cyber harassment directed at Mukoka and members of his family.

In a letter dated September 30, 2026, Mulunda & Company said it had been retained by Mukoka following an article allegedly published on or around September 28 on a Facebook page bearing Simuuwe’s name.

According to the lawyers, the article carried the headline: “Questions Raised Over Augustine Mukonka’s Nationality as Calls Grow for Him to Stop Commenting on Zambian Affairs.”

The letter says Mukoka interprets the publication as questioning his Zambian nationality and suggesting that he is Congolese and should therefore refrain from commenting on Zambian affairs.

Mukoka, through his lawyers, rejected the allegations in their entirety.

The lawyers argued that anyone with genuine concerns regarding another person’s nationality or suspected violation of Zambian law should submit those concerns to the appropriate authorities rather than make potentially damaging allegations through social media.

They further argued that political disagreement should not be used as a basis for attacking an individual’s nationality, dignity or reputation.

“Zambia is a democratic country,” the lawyers stated, arguing that citizens are constitutionally entitled to associate with political organizations of their choice and express political opinions.

Lawyers Raise Concern Over Mutyoka Commentary

The letter also addresses statements attributed to Simuuwe concerning Jackson Mutyoka, whose case the lawyers say is currently before the courts.

Mukoka’s lawyers demanded that Simuuwe refrain from making what they characterized as “careless and baseless” statements concerning the matter, arguing that commentary on an active case could interfere with respect for judicial due process.

They said that if Simuuwe possesses information with evidentiary value concerning the allegations before the courts, such information should instead be presented to the relevant authorities.

The letter also objects to what Mukoka’s lawyers describe as attempts to draw members of his family, who are unrelated to his professional activities, into political disagreements involving him.

Seven Demands Issued

Mulunda & Company has demanded that Simuuwe, within 48 hours of receiving the letter, withdraw the disputed publication from all platforms and cease publishing or circulating claims that Mukoka is Congolese or otherwise misrepresenting his nationality.

The lawyers are also demanding a public and unequivocal retraction on the same platforms, or platforms of comparable prominence, where the allegations appeared.

They further want corrections communicated to any individuals, political associates and online platforms to whom the disputed allegations were allegedly supplied or repeated.

The letter demands that Simuuwe cease encouraging third parties to republish the allegations, refrain from commentary that could prejudice the Mutyoka proceedings, and stop involving Mukoka’s family members in disputes arising from Mukoka’s political commentary.

The lawyers also urged Simuuwe to use legally established procedures if he believes there is a legitimate nationality issue requiring investigation.

Legal Action Threatened

Mulunda & Company warned that failure to comply with the demands could result in Mukoka pursuing remedies available to him under applicable law.

“Your failure to comply with the above demands may result in our client exploring and invoking such legally available routes and remedies as may be available to him,” the letter states.

The correspondence was copied to Mukoka and signed by Mulunda & Company.

The letter represents Mukoka’s and his lawyers’ account of the dispute and their legal position. The allegations contained in it have not, on the basis of the material provided, been independently adjudicated. Simuuwe’s response to the demands was not included in the correspondence.