Police charge 56 year old Kabwe man

Police in Kabwe district, have charged a 56-year-old man with conduct likely to cause a breach of peace after he was found in possession of 13 marked slips of paper bearing the portrait and details of Tonse Alliance Parliamentary Candidate for Bwacha South, Victor Kolala.…

Police in Kabwe district, have charged a 56-year-old man with conduct likely to cause a breach of peace after he was found in possession of 13 marked slips of paper bearing the portrait and details of Tonse Alliance Parliamentary Candidate for Bwacha South, Victor Kolala.

According to Central Province Police Commissioner, Lemekani Chirwa, the suspect, Yohane Bwalya of Pollen township, was apprehended on August 12, 2026, following tips from members of the public who alleged that he was in possession of suspected pre-marked ballot papers ahead of the August 13 General Elections.

“Police, working with the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) and the Office of the President, conducted a search at Bwalya’s residence, where the 13 marked slips were recovered,” said Mr Chirwa in a statement made available to ZANIS in Kabwe.

Mr Chirwa said the slips contained only the portrait and details of Mr Kolala, without details of other candidates contesting the election.

“During questioning, Bwalya told police that he had received the slips from Mr Kolala at his V.K. Lodge for the purpose of educating members on how to mark ballot papers correctly and avoid spoiling their votes,” said Mr Chirwa.

Police also recovered K79,000 cash from the premises, which was seized by the DEC for further investigations into its source.

The Central Province Police Chief said Bwalya’s wife told police that the money belonged to her and was payment for goods she had supplied to the Zambia Correctional Service.

Bwalya later led the investigating team to Mr Kolala’s campaign camp in Makululu Compound to explain his side of the matter.

However, police said Mr Kolala fled after hearing that officers were at the gate, jumping over the wall fence.

“The situation at the camp subsequently became unruly after youths gathered at the premises became agitated, forcing the police team to withdraw to avoid a confrontation,” said Mr Chirwa.

He stated that an analysis of the recovered slips established that no electoral offence had been committed because the papers did not contain the details of other candidates, which would have been necessary to constitute an offence relating to counterfeit ballot papers.

However, police said the possession and use of the marked slips had the potential to create anxiety among other contestants and their supporters and could have resulted in conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.

“Bwalya has since been charged with conduct likely to cause a breach of peace and remains in police custody pending payment of an admission-of-guilt fine,” said Mr Chirwa.

He commended members of the public for their vigilance and urged them to continue providing information to law enforcement agencies to help maintain peace and order during the electoral period.