Key facts
- Former Zambian minister Mutotwe Kafwaya was killed during a security forces raid.
- Authorities claim the raid involved an exchange of fire.
- Eleven individuals were arrested in connection with the operation.
- Opposition leader Brian Mundubile's party is accused of involvement in insurgency and storing weapons.
- Mundubile denies these allegations and plans to challenge recent election results.
- President Hakainde Hichilema secured a second term in office.
A former Zambian minister, Mutotwe Kafwaya, was killed during a security forces raid on a property linked to opposition leader Brian Mundubile, days after the presidential election. Authorities stated that Kafwaya was fatally wounded during an exchange of fire with law enforcement officers in Lusaka on Friday. The operation resulted in the arrest of eleven individuals, with officials accusing Mundubile's party, the NRPUP, of engaging in insurgency and militia activities, and of storing high-grade weapons.
Mundubile, who has since gone into hiding, has dismissed these accusations as "total fabrications." Incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema was declared the winner of the election for a second five-year term, securing 60% of the vote, while Mundubile trailed with 38%. Mundubile intends to challenge the election outcome in court, alleging tampering with the tallying process.
The police confirmed Kafwaya's death on Wednesday, stating that a joint security task force encountered gunfire and resistance, leading to a return of fire that fatally wounded an unidentified male, who was later identified by family members as Kafwaya. Kafwaya, aged 49, had served as a lawmaker since 2016 and held ministerial positions in the works and transport ministries under then-President Edgar Lungu before continuing as an opposition member of parliament after 2021.
Regional and international observers described election day as largely peaceful but expressed concerns regarding late electoral reforms and restrictions on media freedom during the campaign period. The EU election observation mission noted that these restrictions may have contributed to an uneven contest. Their report also highlighted significant deterioration in the results tabulation process after a six-hour pause, citing issues such as delayed recording of results, weak verification between digital and paper records, and frequent pauses in proceedings. The observers also noted an intimidating military presence and reported attacks on tallying centres, calling for greater transparency in the poll outcome.
The Human Rights Commission in Zambia has called for accountability regarding individuals whose whereabouts are unknown following arrests and security operations around the elections, urging that those held beyond legal limits be brought to court or released, and that alleged unlawful detentions or disappearances be independently investigated.