Government Says Kabulonga Operation Targeted Suspected Militia, Mundubile Found at Scene

51 Views LUSAKA — Government has broken its silence over the security operation at the residence of NRP-UP presidential candidate Brian Mundubile in Lusaka’s Kabulonga area, saying the operation was targeting suspected militia members and other persons of interest linked to alleged activities posing a threat to State security. Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa […]

51 Views

Patrick Kangwa

LUSAKA — Government has broken its silence over the security operation at the residence of NRP-UP presidential candidate Brian Mundubile in Lusaka’s Kabulonga area, saying the operation was targeting suspected militia members and other persons of interest linked to alleged activities posing a threat to State security.

Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa made the statement in a recorded address to the nation broadcast on ZNBC this evening.

Kangwa said the operation was conducted on August 13, 2026, by a joint team of law-enforcement and security agencies following surveillance of some of the individuals for several years and, more recently, in the past few months.

According to Kangwa, some of the persons under investigation were allegedly connected to military plans involving foreign nationals and illegal military training camps.

He said the individuals were allegedly found in possession of high-grade military weapons, ammunition and other materials which government believes were intended for use in an armed insurrection.

Government says gunfire was exchanged

Kangwa said the operation resulted in the seizure of restricted military weapons and the apprehension of suspected militia members and other persons of interest.

He said some individuals fled the premises and their whereabouts remain unknown.

According to the Secretary to the Cabinet, occupants of the premises fired shots at law-enforcement officers, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.

“During the operation, the occupants of the premises fired shots at the law enforcement agents which resulted in an exchange of fire,” Kangwa said.

Government says among those apprehended are George Chisanga, Bishop Trevor Mwamba, Simon Phiri, Richard Banda, Francis Mulenga and Patrick Mwansa, who are being held at various police stations in Lusaka.

Kangwa said the suspects have been charged and that access would be provided to their families and lawyers.

Mundubile was at the scene but is not in custody

Kangwa further said Brian Mundubile was found at the premises during the operation.

However, Mundubile is not in police custody, according to information available to Zambian Eye.

Government has not said that Mundubile has been charged with any offence in connection with the operation.

The statement comes amid claims by Mundubile and his political allies that the security operation at his residence involved excessive force and that the NRP-UP presidential candidate was targeted.

Mundubile has also alleged that he witnessed the shooting of Mutoto Kafwaya, the NRP-UP chairman for finance, who he said was shot twice and is feared dead.

Kangwa made no mention of Kafwaya or addressed the allegation in his recorded statement.

Mundubile camp yet to respond

The Mundubile campaign team has not yet issued a formal response to Kangwa’s statement.

However, former lawmaker Emmanuel Banda, who is currently in exile, immediately went live on Facebook and dismissed the government’s account as “bogus.”

Banda alleged that the statement was intended to provide a cover for what he described as an evil plan to assassinate Mundubile.

His remarks represent the first reaction from a prominent member of the Mundubile camp following the government’s explanation.

The competing accounts have now raised further questions over the circumstances surrounding the Kabulonga operation, including what led to the exchange of gunfire, the alleged weapons recovered, the identities and activities of those apprehended, and the whereabouts of Mutoto Kafwaya.

Government says investigations are continuing and that further information will be provided as the process progresses.