Key takeaways
- Inspector General Graphel Musamba says former Lunte MP Mutotwe Kafwaya died after being shot during an exchange of fire at a house in Lusaka’s Kabulonga area on Friday, 14 August 2026.
- The body was identified by his family this evening after social media reports of a missing person prompted efforts to establish who the deceased was.
- Eleven people were apprehended, including three former commandos and two retired police officers, held on suspicion of treason-related offences.
- Recovered items include five AK-47 rifles with 60 rounds, a Zastava pistol, a military-version automatic UZI, a bulletproof vest, night-vision binoculars and electronic devices now undergoing forensic examination.
- All claims above come from the police account. The operation followed the recovery of K7.3 million in a separate Lusaka operation, and investigations continue.
Inspector General of Police Graphel Musamba says former Lunte Member of Parliament Mutotwe Kafwaya was shot and later died during an exchange of fire with law enforcement officers at a premises in Lusaka’s Kabulonga area on Friday, 14 August 2026.
In a statement, Mr Musamba said Mr Kafwaya was among individuals at a house raided by a joint task force. He said the operation was intelligence-led and followed information gathered after the recovery of K7.3 million in a separate operation in Lusaka.
According to the Inspector General, security wings had been monitoring individuals considered to be of national interest and suspected of posing a threat to national security since November 2023. President Hichilema had warned of arrests over an alleged election disruption plot a week before the vote.
What the Police Say Happened
Mr Musamba said officers were met with gunfire and resistance when they arrived at the Kabulonga residence, prompting them to return fire. One unidentified man was fatally wounded and rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Following social media reports about a missing person, the police chief said, efforts were made to establish the identity of the deceased. His wife had earlier sought a court order over his detention. Mr Kafwaya’s family was called this evening and positively identified the body as that of the former lawmaker.
Eleven in Custody
Mr Musamba said eleven people were apprehended during the operation and are being held in connection with alleged offences relating to treason, along with any other offences that may emerge from investigations.
Among those arrested are three former commandos with specialised military training and two retired police officers. The suspects, he said, possess extensive military and weapons training, including specialised skills in marksmanship, intelligence gathering and commando tactics.
What Was Recovered
The joint task force recovered several firearms and other items from the premises, according to the statement, including five AK-47 rifles with 60 rounds of ammunition, a Zastava pistol and a military-version automatic UZI, together with magazines, a bulletproof vest and a commando dagger.
Other items include tactical equipment, walkie-talkies, night-vision binoculars and electronic devices that will undergo forensic examination. Mr Musamba said investigations are continuing to establish the ownership, source and intended use of the recovered items and their possible connection to the alleged offences.
Police Appeal for Calm
Mr Musamba assured the public that the operation was not targeted at individuals based on their political affiliation, occupation or status. He urged members of the public to remain calm and avoid circulating unverified information as investigations continue.
Related coverage: Kafwaya’s Wife Seeks Court Order Over Husband’s Detention, Hichilema Warns of Arrests Over Alleged Election Disruption Plot, Why Zambia Cannot Afford Militias: The Economics of Hichilema’s Warning, ECZ Lifts Vote-Count Suspension as Zambia’s Election Stays Unsettled and Beyond the Ballot, Zambia Turns the Page to Economic Delivery and Police Warn and Caution Mundubile and Makebi Over Alleged Treason.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material and all other digital content on this website may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed, in whole or in part, without the prior express permission of The Zambian Economist. Where permission is granted, the content must be clearly credited to “The Zambian Economist,” with “www.zambianeconomist.com” prominently displayed.
WhatsApp: +260775574228 | Email: info@zambianeconomist.com
© 2026 The Zambian Economist.
