Mundubile, Makebi trial set for October 5, pair remains detained

The matter involving opposition leader Brian Mundubile and his running mate in the 2026 presidential election Makebi Zulu has been adjourned to 5th and 6th October, 2026 for commencement of plea and trial. The adjournment was made today after the duo arrived in Solwezi for trial. The two opposition figures appeared before the High Court […]

The matter involving opposition leader Brian Mundubile and his running mate in the 2026 presidential election Makebi Zulu has been adjourned to 5th and 6th October, 2026 for commencement of plea and trial.

The adjournment was made today after the duo arrived in Solwezi for trial.

The two opposition figures appeared before the High Court in Solwezi in connection with a charge of seditious practices.

The charge relates to social media posts made during the August 2026 general election period, according to reports.

While it is yet to be confirmed by authorities, reports suggest the duo were taken to Solwezi after the State indicated that the complainant in the matter is based in that area.

However, Mundubile and Zulu remain in police custody.

The adjournment comes amid growing calls from the Law Association of Zambia, the Church and opposition parties for the State to either bring the accused persons before court or release them unconditionally.

Mundubile, who contested the 13th August General Election on the Tonse Alliance ticket under the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP), and Zulu have been in detention since 27th August without appearing before court.

The military raid and Kafwaya’s killing 

They were apprehended following a military raid at Mundubile’s Lusaka residence on 14th August, an operation in which former Cabinet Minister for Transport and Communications Mutotwe Kafwaya was shot and killed.

Eleven other people were picked up during the same raid.

After the raid, the two leaders sought refuge at the United Nations offices in Lusaka fearing for their lives, but were later handed over to police following mediation by a representative of UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

Police later said investigations had advanced and charged Mundubile, Zulu and 16 others with treason for alleged connection to armed insurrection, for which they have been detained at Mukobeko Maximum Correctional Facility in Kabwe since 30th August.

On 11th September, police added a separate charge of seditious practices against Mundubile and Zulu in connection with social media posts made during the election period. It is this sedition case that has now been taken to Solwezi and adjourned to October.

DPP defends detention

Meanwhile, Director of Public Prosecutions Gilbert Phiri has defended the continued detention of the duo without trial, calling on stakeholders to give law enforcement agencies space to do their work.

Phiri said it is appalling that in the Zambian setup, suspects are expected to be taken to court a day after arrest regardless of the complexity of the offence.

He told Phoenix News that while the State wants accused persons to appear before court, due diligence must first be undertaken to ensure cases are properly investigated and supported by sufficient evidence.

“Investigations into complex cases require time,” Phiri said, citing the need for law enforcement agencies to obtain witness statements, medical reports and other evidence before presenting a fully supported case before court.

He cited previous treason trials in Zambia, including that of Edward Jack Shamwana, as examples of cases that took considerable time from arrest to trial and eventual conviction, stressing that law enforcement agencies should be allowed adequate time to conduct investigations.

Phiri was responding to calls by the Law Association of Zambia for the release of Mundubile, Zulu and others who have been detained without being taken to court.

Trial on the seditious practices charge will now commence on 5th October. While nothing has been said about or no date has been set on the treason charge they are also facing.