Former minister died in security operation after Zambia election, police confirm

Zambian police have confirmed the death of opposition leader and former minister Mutotwe Kafwaya, who sustained a fatal gunshot wound during a security operation in the capital, Lusaka. The operation, which occurred after the August 13 general elections, also resulted in the arrest of eleven individuals allegedly linked to a militia posing a threat to state security.

Police Inspector General Graphel Musamba stated that Kafwaya was the person who had been shot and died during the operation in the Kabulonga area. Initially reported as occurring on the night of August 13, the police clarified the incident took place on August 14. The unidentified individual was taken to the hospital, where death was confirmed upon arrival.

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The unidentified person was immediately rushed to the hospital for medical attention, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

The operation reportedly targeted a suspected militia, and authorities claim to have arrested individuals with advanced military capabilities, including three ex-commandos trained in sniping, kidnapping, and assassination. Police stated they had been monitoring these individuals since November 2023 and acted upon intelligence received after recovering 7.3 million Zambian kwacha (approximately $330,000 USD).

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After social media reports of a missing person, an attempt was made to establish if the body description matched that of Mutotwe Kafwaya.

Brian Mundubile, the main rival to the re-elected President Hakainde Hichilema, was present at his residence during the operation. Mundubile had previously denounced the operation as an "assassination attempt" on his life, reporting that Kafwaya had been shot and was bleeding heavily. Police confirmed Kafwaya's identity after his relatives came forward following social media reports of a missing person.

These revelations come as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, urged Zambia to cease "arbitrary arrests." The police's detailed account aims to provide clarity on the events, emphasizing the alleged threat posed by the arrested individuals and the intelligence-led nature of the operation.

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These individuals possess extensive military skills and received training as snipers and in handling small and large caliber weapons, as well as in kidnapping and assassination techniques.