Mukandila Appears in Court on Forgery Charges

Tonse Pamodzi Alliance Secretary General and lawyer Celestin Mukandila has appeared before the Lusaka Magistrates’ Court and is expected to take plea on charges of forgery and uttering false documents.

Mr Mukandila was arrested on August 20, 2026, over allegations that he is not a Zambian and his National Registration Card was cancelled through a Government Gazette issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security.

Mr Mukandila has spent 40 days in custody.

His appearance comes after the Lusaka High Court on September 25, 2026, granted him constitutional bail and ordered his immediate release, subject to conditions, His lawyers say he had met the bail conditions.

The High Court had held that Mr Mukandila’s continued detention was inconsistent with constitutional protections on personal liberty and directed the authorities to give immediate effect to the release order.

He is now before the Magistrates’ Court to take plea on the charges.