Hon. Cornelius Mweetwa, the Minister of Information and Media and Chief Government Spokesperson, recently convened a press briefing to address several pressing national issues in Zambia. His discourse spanned critical topics including constitutional reforms, the nation's economic landscape, and the contentious funeral arrangements for former President Edgar Lungu.

A significant portion of the briefing was dedicated to vehemently dismissing calls for the impeachment of President Hakainde Hichilema. Minister Mweetwa unequivocally labeled these demands as politically motivated maneuvers designed to divert public attention from Zambia's ongoing developmental progress. He asserted that President Hichilema had not violated any constitutional article or written law concerning Bill 7, emphasizing the absence of any legal basis, even from court rulings, that would warrant impeachment. Mweetwa clarified that the Constitutional Court's judgment on Bill 7 was advisory rather than instructive, and it did not accuse the government of constitutional breaches. He further confirmed that Bill 7 had been deferred, not withdrawn, to facilitate extensive consultations, particularly in response to concerns raised during a stakeholder meeting on June 4, 2025. The government's intention is to reintroduce the bill in September 2025 to address existing constitutional gaps in anticipation of the 2026 elections. Mweetwa urged political stakeholders to prioritize substantive issues such as the improving cost of living, recent reductions in fuel prices, and the strengthening Kwacha, all of which he cited as indicators of robust economic policy.

Addressing public frustrations regarding static commodity prices despite recent fuel price reductions, the Minister called upon the business community to reflect the government's efforts to enhance affordability for ordinary Zambians. He noted the common paradox where prices rise with fuel increases but remain stagnant when fuel costs drop. Furthermore, Mweetwa debunked social media rumors suggesting that Zambia’s power generation was alleviating Zimbabwe’s load-shedding, clarifying that the Zambezi River Authority ensures equal water allocation to both nations, and therefore Zambia's gains are not at Zimbabwe's expense. In a broader move towards fiscal discipline amidst current economic realities, President Hichilema has directed all ministries to minimize travel and instead utilize virtual platforms like Zoom for meetings.

The ongoing legal dispute concerning the burial of former President Edgar Lungu was another key issue. Minister Mweetwa stated that the Attorney General's lawsuit in South Africa was not driven by malice or an intent to pressure the Lungu family. He reiterated the government's consistent desire for an amicable and dignified resolution, emphasizing the aspiration to resolve the matter domestically as "one Zambian family" rather than through a foreign court directive. The Minister expressed gratitude to the South African Government for encouraging dialogue and mentioned that the Pretoria court is expected to deliver its ruling on August 4, 2025. He reaffirmed President Hichilema’s commitment to maintaining the national tradition of interring former presidents in a designated national burial site. Mweetwa implored all parties, especially within the political sphere, to exercise restraint and avoid inflammatory remarks.

In the realm of energy, Mweetwa announced that Phase II of the 100MW Chisamba Solar Power Plant is slated to commence by August 2025, with an anticipated completion timeline of ten months. Zambia currently faces a power deficit of 590MW, which the Chisamba plant and ongoing load management efforts are designed to mitigate. Addressing public concerns about power exports, the Minister clarified that Zambia exports only 190MW, strictly to fulfill binding contracts under the Southern Africa Power Pool. He explained that terminating these agreements would incur substantial penalties for ZESCO and highlighted that Zambia imports power at rates lower than it exports, rendering the current export arrangement economically rational.

In conclusion, as Zambia navigates various fronts including constitutional reform, energy expansion, and economic recovery, the government underscored the importance of constructive engagement among all stakeholders, urging a collective prioritization of national unity and progress. Mweetwa concluded with an optimistic outlook, stating that "The path ahead is clearer, greener, and more hopeful."