Zambia Cops Kill Ex-Minister in Raid as Hichilema Wins 60% Landslide

Zambia Cops Kill Ex-Minister in Raid as Hichilema Wins 60% Landslide

Zambian police confirmed the death of former minister Mutotwe Kafwaya during a raid on opposition leader Brian Mundubile’s home, hours after President Hakainde Hichilema secured re-election with over 60 percent of the vote.

· 2 min read ·
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Zambian police have confirmed that Mutotwe Kafwaya, a former government minister and prominent opposition figure, was shot and killed during a security operation at the residence of opposition leader Brian Mundubile [223516]. The raid took place just days after President Hakainde Hichilema won a second term with more than 60 percent of the first-round vote, avoiding a runoff [221481][221348].

The incident is part of a broader crackdown on opposition figures, with authorities launching raids as vote counting was underway [221348]. Police have not released specific details about the operation or the circumstances of the shooting [223144]. The confirmation ends days of speculation about Kafwaya’s whereabouts, and calls for an independent investigation are expected to intensify [223516].

The election was marked by significant unrest. International observers reported intimidation, abductions, and an unexplained hours-long pause in the vote count [220764]. The vote count itself was temporarily halted nationwide after reports of attacks on polling staff and theft of marked ballots [219814].

Opposition leader Brian Mundubile, who has declared victory and disputed the official outcome, announced he will legally contest the results in court, citing “serious irregularities” in the voting, counting, and transmission process [223142][219814]. The United Nations has urged Zambia to halt the arbitrary detention of opposition figures, with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights demanding due process and respect for international standards [223162].

Police have arrested several top opposition figures on charges the opposition dismisses as “total fabrications” and politically motivated attempts to silence dissent [221076]. The government has not provided an official explanation for the raids [221348].

Hichilema, who urged calm during the count, has secured a decisive victory that extends his mandate for another five years [219798][221348]. The opposition’s legal challenge and the escalating crackdown have raised concerns about the stability of Zambia’s electoral process [221076].

Sources

Ex-Zambian minister killed in police raid, officials confirm #223516Zambian Ex-Minister Shot Dead in Raid on Opposition Leader’s Home #223144Hichilema Wins Landslide Re-Election in Zambia #221481Zambia’s Hichilema wins second term as opposition figures hit by raids #221348Zambia’s Election Marred by Intimidation and Vote Count Halt, Observers Say #220764Zambia’s Election Count Resumes After Chaos, But Opposition Already Claims Win #219814Zambian Opposition Leader to Challenge Poll Results in Court #223142Zambia’s Opposition Arrests Draw UN Rebuke #223162Zambia Opposition Leaders Arrested After Disputed Vote #221076Zambia election: President urges calm as vote count drags on #219798

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