493 Views MUFUMBWE, August 1, 2026 – Veteran politician Richard Kapita has appealed to NRP-UP presidential candidate Brian Mundubile to institute an independent investigation into the killings that occurred during the government’s operation to clear illegal miners from Mufumbwe Gold Mine. Speaking before thousands of supporters at a Tonse Pamodzi Alliance campaign rally in Mufumbwe […]

493 Views

Richard Kapita with Musuka and Mundubile

MUFUMBWE, August 1, 2026 – Veteran politician Richard Kapita has appealed to NRP-UP presidential candidate Brian Mundubile to institute an independent investigation into the killings that occurred during the government’s operation to clear illegal miners from Mufumbwe Gold Mine.

Speaking before thousands of supporters at a Tonse Pamodzi Alliance campaign rally in Mufumbwe on Saturday afternoon, Kapita said the people of North-Western Province were still grieving over the loss of lives and deserved to know the truth about what happened.

Kapita, a former North-Western Province Minister and former Vice President of the United Party for National Development (UPND), became emotional as he addressed the gathering, saying justice for the victims should be among the priorities of a new administration.

“I get emotional when I talk about this issue, Mr. President, but I am begging you that once you take over government on the 14th of August, please institute investigations. We don’t want innuendos; we want the truth,” Kapita said to loud applause from the crowd.

His remarks referred to the security operation conducted during the government’s crackdown on illegal mining activities in Mufumbwe, an operation that resulted in fatalities and sparked national debate over the use of force by security personnel.

The deaths drew widespread public attention at the time, with opposition parties, civil society organisations and families of the victims calling for accountability and an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the shootings.

The issue has since become one of the major campaign topics in North-Western Province, where mining and access to mineral resources remain key concerns for many communities.

Before arriving in Mufumbwe, Mundubile had repeatedly criticised the government’s handling of the operation, arguing that citizens should not lose their lives while seeking economic opportunities.

The NRP-UP presidential candidate has pledged that, if elected, his administration would allow local people to participate in mining under a regulated framework supported by government.

He has promised that youths would be assisted with mining equipment, access to financing and safety measures instead of being confronted with armed security operations.

Mundubile has also committed to returning opportunities at Mufumbwe and Kasenseli gold mines to local communities, saying Zambia’s mineral wealth should directly benefit the people living in resource-rich areas.

By press time, Mundubile had not yet taken to the podium to respond to Kapita’s appeal, but supporters at the rally expected him to outline his plans for the mining sector and address calls for an inquiry into the Mufumbwe killings.

The Tonse Pamodzi Alliance is continuing its campaign tour of North-Western Province ahead of the August 13 General Election, with mining reforms featuring prominently in its message to voters.