Courts to remain closed, judiciary sources

Courts to remain closed, judiciary sources

The indefinite countrywide shutter of key Courts and several judicial complexes effected yesterday is expected to continue today, effectively scuttling NRPUP’s Brian Mundubile’s attempts to challenge the re-election of President Hakainde Hichilema on August.

Yesterday, Zambia woke up to an unusual scenes as most important courts were barricaded, with armed military and security officers sealing off the premises, citing security reasons using the famous Police yellow tape; “Crime scene Do Not Cross.”

The development drew sharp reactions from key organisms such as Law Association of Zambia, NGOCC, civil society and other interested groups who argued the development as an affront to Zambia’s democracy as it prevented the leading opposition from challenging the election outcome through the courts of law.

A source within the judiciary has confirmed the courts and other judicial complexes will remain closed indefinitely.

“This is not coming from the judiciary, but it is a decision made by the Police and other security agencies. So, as it is, we shall wait for them to tell us when to resume operating from the courts,” the source said anonymously.

“So, even our traditional activities have been affected; so, tomorrow, we were supposed to a valedictory ceremony for a lawyer who died last week, but that won’t take place because of this same closure of the courts. So, this is not just affecting the public,” the source added.

Yesterday, as the country was grappling with the bizarre incident, the, the Chief Justice informed the nation that, in fact, the Courts are on Recess and that judges were resting.

“The 2026 Constitutional Court Michaelmas Recess in Zambia runs from August 8 to September 6, 2026. During this traditional judicial vacation period, normal court operations are legally reduced, meaning standard filings are paused and specific leave or urgent applications are required to process matters,” the memo read in pa