Former Zambian transport minister Mutotwe Kafwaya was killed during a security raid at the home of opposition leader Brian Mundubile, police said. The operation was carried out by a Joint Task Force on August 14, shortly after the country held its presidential election. Authorities said security personnel came under fire during the operation and returned fire, resulting in Kafwaya being fatally wounded.

Police said several weapons were recovered from the scene, including restricted military-version automatic Uzi firearms and five AK-47 rifles. The seized weapons have been handed over for detailed investigation and forensic examination. Authorities said the investigation will seek to determine who owned the weapons, where they came from and what they were intended for, including whether they were connected to allegations being examined under possible treason-related offences.

Kafwaya served as Zambia’s transport minister between 2019 and 2021 and was associated with the country’s opposition political establishment. The raid took place amid heightened political tensions following the presidential election. The government had previously stated that security forces conducted the operation on August 13, the day Zambians voted, while police later said the operation occurred on August 14.

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The security operation has drawn additional attention because it came amid allegations of irregularities surrounding the election. Zambia’s Electoral Commission declared incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema the winner on August 17, with nearly 61 per cent of the vote, securing him a second term. Election observers, including representatives from the European Union, criticised what they described as bias in state media coverage favouring the ruling party.

Mundubile has rejected allegations that members of his political team were preparing an insurrection or posed a threat to national security. He has instead alleged that his group gathered evidence of irregularities during the election and said he intended to challenge the results through the courts. Under Zambian law, an election petition must be filed within seven days of the results being announced, after which the court has 14 days to hear and determine the case.

The killing of a former cabinet minister during a security operation has added to concerns over political tensions in Zambia following the election. Authorities are continuing to examine the weapons recovered during the raid and the circumstances surrounding the exchange of gunfire. The findings of the investigation could be significant in determining what happened during the operation and whether the allegations linked to the raid can be substantiated.

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