MINISTRY of Information and Media Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana says NRPUP notified police to hold a rally at Heroes stadium, and not a road show in Kalingalinga and Mtendere.

During Brian Mundubile’s rally on Thursday, confusion broke out in Lusaka’s Kalingalinga compound when police attempted to stop NRPUP presidential candidate and his running mate Makebi Zulu from conducting a road show. The incident resulted in a young person being hurt in the leg.

Speaking at a press briefing Friday, Kawana said reports that police shot and killed several people were false as no life was lost.

“I am here to address the misinformation that has been circulating on various platforms. First, with regard to Kalingalinga and Mtendere, government reiterates the clarification already issued by the Zambia Police Service that reports alleging that police officers shot and killed several people are false. No life was lost during the incident. Police have confirmed that during a crowd management operation, tear smoke canisters were discharged and unfortunately, a girl from Mtendere compound sustained an injury from a pellet. She was treated and later discharged, whilst investigations into the matter continue,” he said.

“On 11th July, 2026, NRPUP formally wrote to Matero Police Station, notifying authorities that in accordance with the Electoral Commission of Zambia campaign calendar, the party would hold its presidential rally at the National Heroes Stadium on Thursday, 16th July, 2026. The notification was signed by Mr Webster Lungu, Lusaka Provincial Secretary of NRPUP. The government’s position is therefore clear. The police did not target any opposition leader. The notified programme placed the political activity at Heroes Stadium, and the subsequent movement of party leaders and supporters into Kalingalinga and Mtendere introduced a different operational situation from what had been communicated to law enforcement authorities. So, the political party indicated to the police, in writing, that on Thursday they would hold a presidential rally, meaning that their presidential candidate was to address a rally at Heroes Stadium”.

Kawana added that there was no notification that NRPUP would have a road show in Kalingalinga.

“And on that very day, instead of addressing a rally at Heroes Stadium, they engaged in another activity of a roadshow in Kalingalinga and Mtendere. So, of course, you expect that police have been notified and are aware that there will be a rally at Heroes’ Stadium, and then they get reports of fracas and confusion in Kalingalinga, they go there, to go and stop that fracas, because there was no notification whatsoever about that activity that was taking place in Kalingalinga and Mtendere. Surely, we are a lawful and organised society. You cannot tell the police that I will be here at 14 hours and at 14 hours instead you are in another area. During that commotion, public life is threatened, public property is threatened, people get injured and all sorts of commotion. You require police protection as you do these roadshows,” he said.

“So, there was no notification, instead the notification was for a rally at Hero Stadium. It is only good that you tell the police that now we are going to be this side and this is our activity. Even when you find that the venue where you wanted to hold the rally, there were no people. At least inform the police that now we have changed from a rally, we are now going to a roadshow. But that is the importance of those electro-activity calendars, so that everybody knows where everyone else is. What if there was another political party in that area and clashes happened? Please, let us conduct ourselves in a well-coordinated and lawful manner”.

Kawana added that during the incident a young girl was unfortunately injured by a tear gas canister and not a stray bullet.

“During that operation, the unfortunate injury to a young girl occurred and investigations were immediately instituted. But then also, it is important for you as journalists to take time. If a bullet hits you, it doesn’t scratch. It doesn’t come to visit you. It takes out. So, if a child is said to have been hit by a bullet, it means that child was shot, literally shot at. So, the child is safe and the child is at home recuperating. Government also notes that the police investigations are actively underway following reported acts of suspected political violence. The Zambia Police Service has recorded cases including assaults occasioning actual bodily harm, malicious damage to property, aggravated robbery, and unlawful wounding. Several people sustained injuries, vehicles were damaged, and one victim reportedly suffered serious injuries requiring hospitalization,” he said.

He said all those found responsible would be dealt with according to the law adding that political leaders should take responsibility for the conduct of their members.

“The government will allow investigative and prosecutorial processes to proceed without interference, and all those found responsible will be dealt with according to the law regardless of political affiliation. However, government also wishes to raise a broader concern regarding political leadership. Political parties are structured with officials at ward, constituency, district, and provincial levels. This is so for a reason leadership is not only for campaign mobilisation. It is also for maintaining discipline, ensuring compliance with the law, and preventing supporters from engaging in violence and other unlawful conduct. We therefore call upon all political leaders across the political divide to take greater responsibility for the conduct of their members. Local party leaders cannot distance themselves when supporters engage in assaults, also in destruction of property or intimidation or other illegal acts. They are expected to provide guidance, maintain order, and promote peaceful political participation,” Kawana said.

Kawana has since warned Facebook pages to refrain from posting false information.

“And now you have these bogus, rogue Facebook pages. I know a lot of citizens are saying, but why don’t you shut them down, because their domains are outside the country. And they are being run by Zambians that are out there in the diaspora. But make no mistake, they are being visited. Very soon, some of them will be very sorry for their activities. But you can see pages like The Candidate, very alarming, wanting to set the country on fire. Speculating pure blunt and lies. No, eight people have been killed. No, the ballot papers have been printed and the army are bringing them in. If you follow through the irresponsible postings of that Candidate page, it speaks also to the kind of faculty that you have come to know, one of the admins behind that And yes, Charles Kakula, you know that that boy is not very normal. And he is very irresponsible and very sensational. But his days are numbered one day he will answer for these things he is doing,” said Kawana.