Zambia: Ex-Minister Kafwaya Shot D**d In Shocking Attack

Former Zambian minister Mutotwe Kafwaya has been killed during a security operation at a property in Lusaka reportedly linked to opposition politician Brian Mundubile.

According to Ireporter Online, Kafwaya was fatally shot last Friday after a joint security team reportedly encountered armed resistance while conducting an operation at the property, shortly after Zambia’s presidential election.

Police authorities said officers came under gunfire from unidentified individuals during the operation and responded accordingly. Eleven people were reportedly arrested, while firearms and other weapons were allegedly recovered from the premises.

The police initially described the deceased as an unidentified man before members of Kafwaya’s family later confirmed his identity.

Authorities had alleged that a political alliance associated with Mundubile was involved in insurgency and militia-related activities, claims the opposition leader has strongly rejected.

Mundubile, who reportedly went into hiding following the operation, described the allegations as false and vowed to challenge the outcome of the presidential election in court.

He also questioned the circumstances surrounding Kafwaya’s death and said he had not been informed about where the former minister was taken after he was shot.

Kafwaya, 49, entered Zambia’s Parliament in 2016 and later served under former President Edgar Lungu as Minister of Works and Supply and subsequently as Minister of Transport and Communications.

Following Lungu’s defeat in the 2021 presidential election, Kafwaya remained in Parliament as an opposition lawmaker.

The latest development comes amid heightened political tension following the August 13 presidential election, in which President Hakainde Hichilema was declared the winner with about 60 per cent of the votes, while Mundubile reportedly secured approximately 38 per cent.

The disputed election has generated concerns over the treatment of opposition figures and the conduct of security agencies.

The United Nations human rights chief has called on Zambian authorities to uphold due-process rights, while the European Union election observation mission raised concerns about delays in announcing results, verification procedures and the presence of military personnel at some tallying centres.