Mundubile, Makebi Zulu Sedition Case Moved to Lusaka; Treason Bail Hearing Adjourned
Breaking News Zambia
MusicThe High Court in Solwezi has ordered that the sedition case against opposition leader Brian Mundubile and his running mate Makebi Zulu be transferred to the Subordinate Court in Lusaka, bringing an end to weeks of uncertainty over where the matter would be heard. The ruling,…
The High Court in Solwezi has ordered that the sedition case against opposition leader Brian Mundubile and his running mate Makebi Zulu be transferred to the Subordinate Court in Lusaka, bringing an end to weeks of uncertainty over where the matter would be heard.
The ruling, delivered by Justice E.L. Musona, also means the pair will no longer have to endure the long and gruelling bus trip between Kabwe and Solwezi to attend hearings.
Justice Musona was asked to settle a jurisdictional dispute over whether the case should be heard in Solwezi, as the State had sought, or moved to Lusaka.
In his ruling, the judge noted that Mundubile and Zulu “reside in Lusaka, a fact which was not disputed,” and that they were apprehended and held in custody there.
“The circumstances collectively establish a stronger connection with Lusaka and support the conclusion that Lusaka is the more convenient and appropriate forum rather than Solwezi,” Justice Musona said.
“Accordingly, I order that the matter be transferred to the Subordinate Court holden at Lusaka. I so order in the exercise of the power vested in me under Section 80 of the Criminal Procedure Code. Leave to appeal is granted.”
The State has charged Mundubile and Zulu with two counts of seditious practices under Section 57 of the Penal Code. The charges were laid on 11 September, and the State had lined up witnesses with the intention of trying the pair in Solwezi.
The allegations reportedly stem from Facebook livestreams and posts made after the 13 August 2026 General Election.
It is alleged that Mundubile, an opposition presidential candidate, published material claiming his party’s Parallel Vote Tabulation showed he had won the presidential election, and that the broadcasts called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia to resume a halted vote count.
Zulu is alleged to have posted a statement saying Mundubile would address the nation and urging members of the public to remain on standby.
In a separate matter, the Lusaka High Court had been expected to rule this afternoon on whether it has jurisdiction to hear a constitutional bail application brought by Mundubile, Zulu and 16 others facing treason charges.
Their co-accused include 68-year-old retired Anglican Bishop Trevor Mwamba, George Chisanga and Patrick Mwansa.
The State has raised a preliminary objection, arguing that the application was brought before the court through an improper legal procedure and that the court therefore lacks the authority to hear it.
The court has adjourned the matter to tomorrow to allow the defence to respond to the objection.
The ruling on jurisdiction, when delivered, will not in itself grant the accused bail. It will only determine whether the court can proceed to hear the application on its merits.
The sedition and treason cases have often been conflated in public debate. Today’s decision in Solwezi dealt with sedition alone.
The transfer brings the sedition trial closer to the accused’s homes, families and lawyers, as well as to witnesses and the media in Lusaka, where the alleged online publications were made. It also affirms residence, place of arrest and custody as relevant factors in deciding where a case should be heard.
the newsroom will continue to follow both cases.
Community Feedback