Police Advise Lubinda to Formally Withdraw Charges Against Zimba

Police have instructed Patriotic Front (PF) acting president Given Lubinda to follow proper procedures to withdraw charges against political advisor Dr Chris Zumani Zimba, despite Lubinda's claims that he withdrew his complaint two weeks ago.

The confusion arose after police arrested Zimba on Monday for allegedly publishing false information about Lubinda on social media, contrary to the Cyber Crimes Act.

Police Spokesperson Rae Hamoonga confirmed that Zimba, 45, who serves as political advisor to former president Edgar Lungu, was arrested at Woodlands Police Station after responding to a police summons. He was charged with identity-related crimes and harassment under the Cyber Crimes Act and later released on bond.

The original complaint was filed by Lubinda on 9 October 2025, accusing Zimba of publishing false articles about him on social media.

However, Lubinda told journalists on Wednesday that he and Zimba had reconciled and he had formally instructed police to drop the case two weeks ago.

"After Zumani and I met and resolved the matter, I immediately wrote to the police instructing them that I've withdrawn my complaint because I've reconciled with him," Lubinda explained. "I was with him yesterday and explained to police that I am not going to pursue this matter any further because Zumani had shown remorse."

But Hamoonga clarified that Lubinda did not follow correct procedures for withdrawing a criminal complaint.

"The procedure when you want to withdraw a criminal matter is that you go to the station where you reported the matter, where a withdraw statement is supposed to be recorded from you," Hamoonga said. "He didn't do that. So in the absence of doing that, we had to arrest the person and take the matter to court."

Hamoonga advised Lubinda to visit the police station where he originally filed the complaint to formally withdraw the charges.