“Sedition: Mundubile Makebi Lawyers Bewildered as Trial Looms”…in less than 12 days

“Sedition: Mundubile Makebi Lawyers Bewildered as Trial Looms”…in less than 12 days Lusaka, 25 September 2026 — After weeks of detention without trial, Zambia’s state prosecutors have finally unveiled the charges against opposition presidential candidate Brian Mundubile and his deputy Makebi Zulu: sedition in addition to treason. The announcement has left their legal team, led […]

“Sedition: Mundubile Makebi Lawyers Bewildered as Trial Looms”
…in less than 12 days

Lusaka, 25 September 2026 — After weeks of detention without trial, Zambia’s state prosecutors have finally unveiled the charges against opposition presidential candidate Brian Mundubile and his deputy Makebi Zulu: sedition in addition to treason.

The announcement has left their legal team, led by veteran lawyer Sakwiba Sikota, SC, visibly baffled. In a recorded interview, Sikota — known for his sharp wit, vast education, and decades of courtroom experience — questioned the logic behind the charges with his trademark satirical irony.

“They are alleging that Mundubile was calling on the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to ‘release results’ because they were looking at their own PVT or parallel voter tabulation,” Sikota explained, noting that such a request hardly is harmful to any process.”

Sikota said, “on the second charge, he added with dry humour: “There was an announcement that President Mundubile would address the nation at a certain date and time. That, apparently, is seditious. We will try to see what is seditious about this.”

In Zambia, sedition and treason are among the gravest offences, carrying potential life imprisonment or even capital punishment.

The burden of proof lies squarely on the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), whose office must demonstrate beyond reasonable doubt that the accused sought to overthrow constitutional order according to pundits that have been charged of the crime before such as Muhabi Lungu.

The duo appeared in Solwezi this week, where observers and eye witnesses noted Mundubile had lost significant weight but remained in high spirits alongside his co detainee Zulu.

Both accused persons, lawyers by profession and former lawmakers, smiled openly and waved to supporters before being flown back to Mukobeko Maximum Prison in Kabwe.

Their plea and trial dates have now been set for 5–6 October 2026, though the venue remains undisclosed.

With less than two weeks to go, the trial is expected to draw massive international media attention, turning Zambia into a global spotlight of contested democracy.

The Two Sedition Charges

• Calling on the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to release election results based on their own PVT.
• Announcing that President Mundubile would address the nation at a later date and time.

Source: Sakwiba Sikota SC vid clip.