OUTSPOKEN former Lumezi independent member of parliament Munir Zulu’s time in parliament was this year abruptly ended, which triggered a tense by-election in Eastern Province.
The political storm broke on April 7, 2025, when the Lusaka Magistrates Court sentenced Zulu to 12 months imprisonment with hard labour after finding him guilty on three counts of libel, effectively removing him from active public office and pushing Lumezi into by-elections.
Zulu’s troubles dated back to March 2023, when he summoned journalists to Parliament and made explosive corruption allegations against Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development minister Charles Milupi and Finance and National Planning minister Situmbeko Musokotwane, accusing them of receiving US$250,000 each from an unknown company.
Not stopping there, Zulu also dragged in Road Development Agency (RDA) board chairperson Mulchand Kuntawala, alleging that he had paid US$150,000 to grease Milupi’s appointment.
At the time, Zulu boldly dared the accused to take him to court, even swearing by new kwacha notes that he had evidence to back his claims.
But when the matter landed before the courts, the evidence never came.
The three accused reported the matter to police, leading to Zulu’s arrest and prosecution for libel.
During trial, Zulu argued that he could not be guilty because he had only “uttered” the statements and not published them.
He further claimed protection under parliamentary immunity, insisting that his remarks were made within the precincts of Parliament.
However, chief resident magistrate Davies Chibwili dismissed the arguments and found Zulu guilty, describing his conduct as reckless, arrogant and dangerous.
The magistrate noted that Zulu showed no remorse, failed to produce even “a pinch of proof” and had adopted a defiant attitude throughout the proceedings.
Zulu’s plea for leniency, through his lawyers, fell on deaf ears.
Despite mitigation that he was a first-time offender, a husband, a father and an MP representing one of Zambia’s largest constituencies, the court handed him a custodial sentence.
As Zulu was bundled into a battered government Land Cruiser to begin his jail term.
The jailing immediately vacated the Lumezi parliamentary seat, throwing the constituency into another political battle.
Months later, the people of Lumezi returned to the polls, where UPND candidate Lufeyo Ngoma emerged victorious, polling 11,521 votes, defeating Goodson Banda of the NCP, who garnered 6,821 votes.
By George Musonda
Kalemba December 31, 2025
