Government dismisses shooting deaths claim, confirms pellet injury in Kalingalinga unrest

Government has dismissed as entirely false circulating social media claims that police shot and killed several people during a crowd management operation in Kalingalinga and Mtendere on Wednesday, confirming instead that a young girl from Mutendere Compound sustained a pellet…

Government has dismissed as entirely false circulating social media claims that police shot and killed several people during a crowd management operation in Kalingalinga and Mtendere on Wednesday, confirming instead that a young girl from Mutendere Compound sustained a pellet injury from tear smoke canisters. She was treated and discharged from hospital the same day.

Ministry of Information and Media Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana addressed the matter at a press briefing, stating that investigations into the girl’s specific injury are continuing. He said no lives were lost during the operation, directly contradicting reports that had spread rapidly online in the hours following the incident.

The Permanent Secretary explained that the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) had formally notified Matero Police Station on July 11 that it would hold a presidential campaign rally at the National Heroes Stadium on Thursday, July 16, in line with the Electoral Commission of Zambia’s campaign calendar. That notification was signed by the party’s Lusaka Provincial Secretary, Webster Lungu.

Police planned their security operations around that communicated venue. Instead, NRPUP presidential candidate Brian Mundubile and his supporters conducted an uncommunicated roadshow through Kalingalinga and Mtendere, a shift Mr Kawana said created a volatile operational situation that threatened public order and prompted police intervention.

“We want to emphasize that our police did not target any opposition leader; the intervention was strictly aimed at restoring peace,” Mr Kawana said.

He reminded political parties that they are required to notify police of any change to planned campaign activities, to allow adequate security arrangements and prevent clashes between supporters and law enforcement.

NRPUP’s running mate, Makebi Zulu, offered a different account of the same events, telling supporters during the roadshow that no amount of police brutality or tear-gassing would stop what he called “the wind of change.” His remarks came as police moved to block and disperse the crowd following the party’s route change.

Separately, Mr Kawana announced that Government has launched investigations into a suspected case of political violence in Libala, where police have recorded offences including assault occasioning actual bodily harm, malicious damage to property, aggravated robbery and unlawful wounding.

Several people were injured and vehicles damaged in the Libala incident, with one victim suffering serious injuries requiring hospitalisation. The Permanent Secretary said investigations and any resulting prosecutions would proceed without interference, regardless of the political affiliation of those found responsible.

“All individuals found responsible will be dealt with in accordance with the law, regardless of their political affiliation,” he said.

The Kalingalinga and Mtendere operation has become one of the more sharply contested episodes of the campaign so far, with different outlets and political figures offering competing characterisations of the same afternoon. Government’s account centres on an unannounced change of venue that caught police off guard, while NRPUP figures have framed the tear gas deployment as an attempt to suppress a peaceful roadshow.

Mr Kawana urged political parties to ensure their leadership structures at ward, constituency, district and provincial level take responsibility for maintaining discipline among supporters. He said party officials would increasingly be held accountable for failing to provide leadership that prevents lawlessness.

“Zambia’s democratic process must be characterized by peaceful political competition, respect for the law, and responsible leadership at all levels,” he said.

Government has signalled it will continue to require formal notification of campaign movements, while investigations into both the Mutendere pellet injury and the Libala violence remain open. Police say updates will follow as those inquiries progress.