MAINDA SIMATAA QUITS POLITICS AT YOUNG AGE

…former Kamwala Councillor cites a hostile environment after Kabwata loss Mainda Simataa, the independent candidate who contested the Kabwata parliamentary seat in the August 13 general elections, has announced his immediate retirement from active Zambian politics at a young age. The former Kamwala Ward Councillor under the ruling UPND says he is stepping away due […]

…former Kamwala Councillor cites a hostile environment after Kabwata loss

Mainda Simataa, the independent candidate who contested the Kabwata parliamentary seat in the August 13 general elections, has announced his immediate retirement from active Zambian politics at a young age.

The former Kamwala Ward Councillor under the ruling UPND says he is stepping away due to safety concerns, not because of his election loss.

In a statement, Simataa said his decision was driven by the current political climate.

“Fellow citizens, family, friends, and followers, I wish to announce to you my retirement from active Zambian politics with immediate effect,” he stated.

“The thing is this: I am not prepared to lose my life over politics and leave my family behind. Unlike elections, you cannot bounce back from losing your life,” Simataa said.

“Therefore, given my analysis of the current hostile political environment which, in my view, has become too toxic, too intolerant, and even dangerous for politicians such as myself, I have chosen to step aside,” he added.

Simataa served as Kamwala Ward Councillor under UPND before resigning from the party prior to the August 13th, 2026 elections.

He went on to contest the Kabwata parliamentary seat as an independent, but lost to NRPUP’s Danny Yenga.

Simataa stressed that his defeat was not the reason for his retirement.

Francis Chipalo