Subordinate Court: Brian Mundubile, Makebi Zulu Jurisdiction Referred

• On October 13, 2026, a Zambian Subordinate Court ruled in The People v Brian Mundubile and Makebi Zulu (SSV/171/2026).
• The court determined it lacked jurisdiction over the alleged online seditious acts.
• The matter was referred to the High Court to establish the proper judicial forum.
• This decision clarifies that Subordinate Courts may not have authority over online sedition cases.
• The High Court is now tasked with determining the appropriate court for such allegations.

This ruling clarifies that Zambian Subordinate Courts may lack jurisdiction over alleged online seditious acts, necessitating referral to the High Court.

On October 13, 2026, a significant procedural ruling was issued in the case of The People v Brian Mundubile and Makebi Zulu, identified by the case number SSV/171/2026. This matter, which involved allegations of online seditious acts, was initially brought before a Zambian Subordinate Court. However, the presiding magistrate ultimately determined that the court lacked the necessary authority to adjudicate the specific charges presented.

The Subordinate Court's decision centered on a fundamental question of jurisdiction. Rather than proceeding with the trial, the court concluded that it was not the appropriate judicial body to hear a case involving alleged online seditious acts. This finding led to a referral of the entire matter to a higher judicial authority within the Zambian legal system.

The core of the Subordinate Court's ruling was its self-assessment regarding its competence to handle offenses of sedition, particularly when committed through digital means. The court explicitly stated that it lacked jurisdiction over the alleged online seditious acts attributed to Brian Mundubile and Makebi Zulu. This determination underscores a critical aspect of legal procedure, where a court must first establish its power to hear a case before addressing its merits.

Following this jurisdictional finding, the Subordinate Court did not dismiss the case outright but instead took the procedural step of referring the matter, SSV/171/2026, to the High Court. The purpose of this referral was for the High Court to thoroughly examine the circumstances and definitively establish the proper forum for the prosecution of these specific charges. This action highlights a mechanism within the Zambian judiciary for clarifying the appropriate court for complex or novel legal issues.

This ruling clarifies that Zambian Subordinate Courts may lack jurisdiction over alleged online seditious acts, necessitating referral to the High Court. The decision in The People v Brian Mundubile and Makebi Zulu (SSV/171/2026) provides crucial guidance on the procedural path for prosecuting alleged online seditious acts, ensuring that such serious allegations are heard by the appropriate judicial authority. It sets a precedent for how similar cases involving Zambia seditious acts jurisdiction might be handled in the future, particularly those with an online component.

For legal practitioners, this development underscores the importance of understanding the precise jurisdictional limits of various courts, especially concerning charges related to online conduct. The referral to the High Court to determine the online seditious acts proper forum means that the High Court is now established as the designated body to resolve such jurisdictional questions. This procedural clarity is vital for ensuring due process and the effective administration of justice in cases involving modern forms of alleged offenses.

This ruling clarifies that Zambian Subordinate Courts may lack jurisdiction over alleged online seditious acts, necessitating referral to the High Court. Lawyers should be aware of this jurisdictional limitation when advising clients on such charges or considering where to initiate proceedings, as it establishes the High Court as the proper forum for these specific matters.

Source: Original reporting via ZMSUB 8 (13 October 2026)