Mazabuka District Commissioner Oliver Mulomba narrowly escaped being lynched by angry mourners at a funeral on Tuesday after urging them to vote for President Hakainde Hichilema and United Party for National Development candidates in next month’s election.

The incident occurred during the burial of a community member when Mulomba addressed mourners and asked them to support Hichilema and the ruling party’s candidates. Witnesses said the gathering turned hostile almost immediately, accusing Mulomba of politicising a solemn occasion.

“The situation quickly escalated, forcing Mr Mulomba to leave under tight security to avoid being attacked,” witness Josphat Munjila said.

Mulomba was forced off the podium and required a security escort to leave the cemetery safely. The incident comes amid growing political tension in parts of Southern Province ahead of the general election, with residents citing frustration over the high cost of living and poor service delivery.

In a separate incident, UPND cadres disrupted an authorised campaign rally for independent Monze Central parliamentary candidate Elvis Mainza in Katimba Ward. The Electoral Commission of Zambia’s official campaign timetable had confirmed Mainza was cleared to hold activities in the area.

Instead, a group of UPND cadres arrived in an unregistered white Toyota Hilux and disrupted the gathering, attacking Mainza’s supporters and chasing people with stones, according to eyewitnesses Rabecca Choombwa and Cynthia Habukali. They said armed and masked cadres took over the venue while beating people, bringing the rally to a sudden halt.

Mainza’s team described the attack as a clear attempt to intimidate voters and suppress alternative voices in Monze Central.

A third and separate incident was reported in Kitwe, where several vehicles belonging to National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity presidential candidate Brian Mundubile’s campaign team had their windows smashed during a Copperbelt tour. One victim appeared in a widely circulated video bleeding and claiming attackers had also stolen money from him.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers were youths suspected to be aligned with the ruling party, with some reportedly using unregistered vehicles in what appeared to be an organised effort to disrupt the opposition campaign. Images also circulated showing a young man brandishing what appeared to be a pistol during the disturbance. Police say some suspects have been arrested, drawn from both the ruling party and the Tonse Alliance, though it remains unclear whether the individual seen with the firearm is among those detained.

National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity information and publicity chairperson Elias Kamanga condemned the Kitwe violence, accusing Hichilema of having endorsed attacks on the opposition by failing to condemn them.

“That is why this man you have at community house has never condemned his party for the violence, and this is an eye opener that even under the previous administration the violence you experienced was UPND,” Kamanga said.

The three incidents have added to mounting concern from civic and religious leaders over the tone of the campaign with just fourteen days remaining before polling day, with calls growing for police to act even-handedly against perpetrators regardless of party affiliation.

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