Honorable Cornelius Mweetwa, the Minister of Information and Media and Chief Government Spokesperson, recently held a comprehensive press briefing, addressing a spectrum of critical national issues. His remarks spanned vital areas including ongoing constitutional reforms, the nation's economic landscape, and the sensitive, protracted dispute surrounding the funeral arrangements for former President Edgar Lungu.

A significant portion of the briefing was dedicated to dispelling what Minister Mweetwa termed "political stunts" – specifically, the calls for the impeachment of President Hakainde Hichilema. He vehemently dismissed these calls as politically motivated distractions, designed to divert public attention from Zambia's developmental progress. Mweetwa asserted that President Hichilema had not violated any article of the Constitution or written law concerning Bill 7, and emphasized that there was no legal basis, even from the courts, to suggest a violation warranting impeachment. He clarified that the Constitutional Court’s judgment regarding Bill 7 was purely advisory, not instructive, and did not accuse the government of any constitutional breaches. Furthermore, the Minister confirmed that Bill 7 had been deferred, rather than outright withdrawn, to facilitate broader consultations. This deferral directly responded to concerns voiced during the stakeholder meeting held on June 4, 2025. The government's intention is to reintroduce the bill in September, aiming to address critical constitutional gaps well in advance of the 2026 general elections. Mweetwa urged political stakeholders to shift their focus towards tangible national improvements, such as the gradual improvement in the cost of living, recent reductions in fuel prices, and the strengthening of the Zambian Kwacha, all of which he presented as indicators of solid economic policy.

Addressing the persistent concerns about the cost of living, the Minister acknowledged the public's frustration regarding the static prices of commodities, despite the recent fuel price reduction announced by the Energy Regulation Board (ERB). He highlighted a common grievance: "Every time fuel goes up, prices of goods and services increase — but when fuel drops, nothing changes." In response, he called upon the business community to reflect the government’s strenuous efforts to make life more affordable for ordinary Zambians. Mweetwa also took the opportunity to refute circulating social media rumors which falsely claimed that Zambia’s power generation was being reduced to alleviate Zimbabwe’s load-shedding. He clarified that the Zambezi River Authority allocates water equally to both countries, ensuring that Zambia’s gains are not achieved at the expense of its neighbor. In a broader move towards fiscal discipline amidst current economic realities, President Hichilema has directed all ministries to minimize official travel and instead leverage virtual platforms such as Zoom for meetings and engagements.

The Minister also provided an update on the ongoing legal impasse concerning the burial of former President Edgar Lungu. He stated emphatically that the Attorney General’s lawsuit filed in South Africa was not malicious, nor was it intended to exert undue pressure on the Lungu family. Instead, Mweetwa stressed that the government has consistently sought an amicable and dignified resolution, viewing the matter as a collective Zambian family issue. He expressed a desire for a resolution stemming from within Zambia, rather than a directive from a foreign court. Mweetwa extended gratitude to the South African Government for encouraging dialogue between the parties. The court in Pretoria is anticipated to deliver its ruling on August 4, 2025. President Hichilema's desire to uphold the national tradition of burying former presidents in a single, designated national location was reaffirmed. The Minister concluded this segment by urging all parties, particularly those in the political sphere, to exercise restraint and avoid making inflammatory remarks that could exacerbate the situation.

In the realm of energy, Mweetwa unveiled plans for the commencement of Phase II of the 100MW Chisamba Solar Power Plant by August 2025, projecting a completion timeline of 10 months. He underscored Zambia's current energy challenge, a 590MW power deficit, which the Chisamba plant and ongoing load management efforts are designed to mitigate. Addressing public queries regarding power exports, the Minister clarified that Zambia is currently exporting only 190MW, strictly to fulfill binding contracts under the Southern Africa Power Pool. He explained that terminating these pre-existing agreements would result in significant and costly penalties for ZESCO. Furthermore, Mweetwa highlighted that Zambia is strategically importing power at lower rates than it exports, positioning these exports as an economically rational decision for the nation.

As Zambia continues its trajectory forward on multiple fronts—from crucial constitutional reforms and ambitious energy expansion projects to the overarching goal of economic recovery—the government has issued a clear call for all stakeholders to engage constructively. The emphasis is on prioritizing national unity and collective progress. Minister Mweetwa concluded his briefing with an optimistic outlook, stating that "The path ahead is clearer, greener, and more hopeful," signaling the government's commitment to a prosperous future for the nation.