Kafwaya family breaks silence: “We don’t know where he is,” son tells nation in emotional appeal

Kafwaya family breaks silence: “We don’t know where he is,” son tells nation in emotional appeal The family of former Lunte Member of Parliament and ex-Cabinet minister Mutote Kafwaya has broken its silence with a direct, emotional appeal to President Hakainde Hichilema,…

Kafwaya family breaks silence: “We don’t know where he is,” son tells nation in emotional appeal

The family of former Lunte Member of Parliament and ex-Cabinet minister Mutote Kafwaya has broken its silence with a direct, emotional appeal to President Hakainde Hichilema, confirming that Kafwaya has been missing since Friday, 14 August, and that relatives have been unable to establish his whereabouts or confirm his safety in the days since.

Delivered on camera by Kafwaya’s son Mwanga Kafwaya and his elder brother Mugupa Musuma, speaking as family spokesperson, the appeal marks the first time relatives have addressed the nation directly since claims began circulating that Kafwaya had been shot and taken away by individuals in military uniform. Government officials have publicly dismissed those claims as fabricated.

Mwanga said he last spoke to his father on Wednesday, 12 August, his own birthday, and has had no contact with him since.

“To the people of the Republic of Zambia, I haven’t spoken to my dad in the past two to three days. We as a family have been wondering where he is and we have been in suspense because we don’t know how he’s doing or if he’s okay,” he said.

Turning to the President directly, Mwanga asked him to weigh the uncertainty from a parent’s perspective. “Mr President, you have two sons. Imagine yourself in my position. How would your sons feel if they do not know where you are and how you are doing and have no way of reaching you?” he said. “Mr President, I am appealing. Please help me find my dad.”

Musuma then read a fuller statement on the family’s behalf, confirming that Kafwaya has been missing since 14 August and that, as of Sunday, relatives had been unable to establish his whereabouts or independently confirm his safety despite repeated attempts to reach him.

“For more than 48 hours, we have lived with the anguish and uncertainty of not knowing where our brother is or what may have happened to him,” Musuma said.

He addressed head-on the reports circulating on social media, including claims that Kafwaya was present during an incident at the residence of NRPUP presidential candidate Brian Mundubile, and that he was subsequently shot and taken away by individuals reportedly dressed in military uniform. Musuma stressed the family had not independently verified these claims and was not presenting them as fact.

“We are, however, deeply concerned that such serious reports are circulating while his whereabouts remain unknown,” he said, adding that the family’s focus was Kafwaya’s life, safety and whereabouts rather than speculation or blame.

The statement follows earlier denials from Defence Permanent Secretary Maambo Haamaundu and Information and Media Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana, who said no patient by that name had been admitted to Maina Soko Medical Centre and described the claims as internet banter. The family’s statement stops short of directly disputing that specific denial, but confirms that Kafwaya remains unaccounted for regardless of where he may or may not have been treated.

Musuma called on President Hichilema, the Zambia Police Service, the Zambia Army and all other relevant state and security authorities to urgently establish the circumstances surrounding Kafwaya’s disappearance and confirm his safety and well-being.

“If Mr Kafwaya is in the custody, care or control of any state institution, security agents or other authority, we respectfully call on that institution or authority to immediately communicate his whereabouts and condition to his family,” he said.

He further asked that any investigation be conducted promptly, independently, impartially and transparently, with the family kept informed of developments throughout.

“Mr Kafwaya is not only a former public office holder, he is a son, brother, father, relative, colleague and friend. His disappearance has caused profound anguish to his family and understandable concern among many Zambians,” Musuma said.

The family said it remained hopeful that authorities would act swiftly and that the truth would be established, with Kafwaya located and safely reunited with his relatives.

Mwanga closed the appeal by repeating his plea to the President: “Please, Mr President, I am appealing. Help me find my father.”

The Mast has sought comment from the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security. Neither had responded by the time of publication.