I don’t know why people are scared to visit Mundubile and Makebi. We are monitoring those who are visiting and those who are not – Davis Mwila

The political landscape in Zambia has witnessed a fresh wave of tension following remarks by BM8-ECL Movement National Chairperson Davies Mwila, who has openly chastised opposition Members of Parliament for their reluctance to visit incarcerated political figures. Mr. Mwila expressed disappointment over what he perceived as a lukewarm response from lawmakers regarding the detention of prominent figures like Brian Mundubile and Makebi Zulu, who are currently being held at the maximum-security facility in Kabwe. According to Mwila, leadership requires physical presence and solidarity during times of crisis, noting that monitoring mechanisms are closely watching who makes the trip to the correctional facility. The incarceration of Mundubile, Zulu, and several co-accused individuals has remained a dominant talking point across the country, drawing intense scrutiny from political analysts, civil society, and sympathizers alike. The high-profile detainees have been at the center of fierce political debates surrounding due process, governance, and the application of the rule of law. While opposition factions continue to decry the detentions as politically motivated, state authorities maintain that the legal processes currently underway are entirely independent and anchored in statutory law. Mr. Mwila's recent call to action underscores deep-seated anxieties and strategic realignments within the opposition camp. By publicly urging MPs to dust off their travel plans and make the journey to Kabwe, the opposition stalwart is attempting to galvanize grassroots support and enforce discipline within parliamentary ranks. Observers note that political solidarity in Zambia has historically been measured by physical attendance at court sessions and correctional facilities, making these visits a crucial litmus test for loyalty and political survival. At the same time, logistics surrounding visitations at Mukobeko Maximum Security Prison have faced intermittent bureaucratic hurdles.