By Rahim Abdul
Police in Zambia have arrested 54 people for allegedly buying and consuming illegal alcohol known as Chi Cup in Lusaka.
The suspects, comprising 34 men and 20 women, were arrested on Saturday, November 15, 2026, during a police operation conducted in the area between the National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) and Evelyn Hone College in Lusaka.
The operation targeted people involved in the consumption of Chi Cup, an illicit alcoholic concoction that has raised concerns among authorities because of its availability around institutions of higher learning.
All the 54 suspects are currently in police custody and are awaiting court appearance.
The arrests come amid longstanding concerns over the illegal sale and consumption of alcohol around NIPA and Evelyn Hone College, particularly because of the institutions’ proximity to places where students and other young people gather.
In March 2026, Zambia Police spokesperson Godfrey Chilabi acknowledged concerns over the sale of Chi Cup and other illicit substances around the two institutions. He warned that police would take action against individuals involved in the illegal trade.
The issue has also attracted attention in Zambia’s National Assembly, where lawmakers raised concerns about unlicensed alcohol outlets operating near the two colleges.
On March 31, 2023, then Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Gary Nkombo told Parliament that the government was aware of illegal alcohol sales at the entrances of NIPA and Evelyn Hone College.
He further disclosed that Lusaka City Council and State Police had previously conducted operations in the area to curb illegal alcohol trading, resulting in the arrest of two suspects and the confiscation of liquor.
The minister also warned that the illegal alcohol trade was not limited to the two institutions but was a wider problem affecting communities across the country.
The latest arrests therefore represent another law enforcement intervention aimed at addressing concerns surrounding illicit alcohol activities in the area.
However, details regarding the specific charges the 54 suspects may face, the quantities of Chi Cup involved and whether any sellers were also arrested have not yet been provided.
The suspects remain in custody as they await their appearance before court, where the legal process will determine the next course of action.
