Zambian security forces conducted a raid on a residence associated with opposition leader Brian Mundubile in the capital, Lusaka, on Friday, the day following the presidential election. During the operation, former minister Mutotwe Kafwaya was fatally wounded in what authorities described as an armed exchange. Police stated that law enforcement encountered gunfire and resistance from unidentified individuals and returned fire, resulting in one death. The 49-year-old’s body was later identified by family members.
Eleven individuals were arrested during the raid. Authorities alleged that Mundubile’s party, the NRPUP, was engaged in insurgency and militia activities and possessed high-grade weapons. Mundubile, who has since gone into hiding, characterized these allegations as fabricated. He disclosed that Kafwaya had been present at his residence when the raid occurred but had no information about his whereabouts following the shooting.
Kafwaya had served as a lawmaker beginning in 2016 and held ministerial positions under former President Edgar Lungu, including roles in the works and transport ministries until 2021. He subsequently served as an opposition parliamentarian after Lungu’s electoral defeat to incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema.
According to official results, Hichilema secured a second five-year term with 60% of the vote, while Mundubile received 38%. The opposition leader intends to contest the results in court, citing allegations of tampering during the vote-counting process. International election observers noted concerns regarding the tabulation procedures, citing deteriorated counting processes following a six-hour halt and insufficient verification between digital and paper records. The EU observation mission warned that late electoral reforms and media restrictions during the campaign period may have created an uneven competitive environment.
The Zambian Human Rights Commission has called for investigations into individuals whose status remains unclear following arrests and operations connected to the election, demanding that detainees be presented in court or released and that any alleged unlawful detentions be independently examined.
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