Mundubile bail hearing delayed as State says it is not ready

Opposition leader Brian Mundubile and 17 co-accused will stay in custody until at least Wednesday after the Lusaka High Court adjourned their bail application when the State said it was not ready to respond. The court on Monday put the matter off to 21 October at 08:30. The applicants include Mr Mundubile, the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity's presidential candidate in the August election, and his running mate Makebi Zulu. In all, 18 people are asking to be released, either unconditionally or on reasonable bail conditions that would ensure they attend trial. Prosecutors told the court they needed more time to prepare their documents, although the State had received the defence papers on the previous Thursday. A three-judge bench led by Ndola High Court Judge Derrick Mulenga, with Judges Davis Chibwili and Ireen Wishimanga, is hearing the case. The parties met in chambers before the adjournment, and defence lawyer Sakwiba Sikota addressed the court. The applicants face charges including treason, sedition and terrorism-related offences, which relate to an alleged militia after the 13 August general election. Mr Mundubile denies that his party had a militia. None of the charges has been tested in court. In their supporting affidavit the applicants say they have been held without a judicial ruling authorising their continued custody. They have also sued Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha and others, arguing that detention without trial violates their constitutional rights, and they want the court to declare it unconstitutional. Zambia Monitor reported that the accused were woken at about 04:00 at Mukobeko Maximum Security Correctional Facility and taken to Lusaka without breakfast. Security was heavy and some roads were closed during the proceedings. **Source:** Lusaka Times, 17:45 CAT on 19 Oct. [https://www.lusakatimes.com/2026/10/19/mundubile-zulu-and-others-bail-hearing-adjourned-to-wednesday/](https://www.lusakatimes.com/2026/10/19/mundubi