Mutotwe Kafwaya was fatally shot during an operation in Lusaka as political tensions rose following Zambia’s presidential election.

Lusaka, Zambia (Running Africa) — Former Zambian cabinet minister Mutotwe Kafwaya has been killed during a security operation at a property linked to opposition leader Brian Mundubile in Lusaka, deepening political tensions following the country’s disputed presidential election.

Police said the 49-year-old former minister was fatally wounded during an exchange of gunfire as a joint security task force raided the property while targeting individuals authorities accused of involvement in insurgency and militia activities.

Eleven people were arrested during the operation, while Mundubile has gone into hiding and rejected the government’s allegations as fabricated.

The raid comes as Mundubile prepares to challenge President Hakainde Hichilema’s election victory in court, adding a serious security dimension to an already contentious post-election period.

Mutotwe Kafwaya Killed During Lusaka Security Operation

According to Zambian police, Kafwaya was killed as security forces carried out an operation at a property associated with Mundubile.

Authorities said an exchange of gunfire occurred during the raid, leaving the former minister fatally wounded.

Police have linked the operation to an investigation into alleged insurgency and militia activities, although details surrounding those accusations have not been fully disclosed.

The allegations against those targeted in the operation have not been proven in court.

Eleven Arrested as Brian Mundubile Goes Into Hiding

Security forces arrested 11 people during the raid, according to police.

Mundubile, who challenged Hichilema in the presidential election, has since gone into hiding amid concerns over his security.

The opposition leader has rejected accusations linking him or his allies to insurgency or militia activity, describing the allegations as fabricated.

The confrontation has intensified concerns over the treatment of opposition figures following an election already facing a legal challenge.

Kafwaya Death Comes After Hichilema’s Election Victory

The raid occurred days after Zambia’s presidential election, in which Hakainde Hichilema secured a second term with about 60% of the vote.

Mundubile finished with approximately 38% and has announced plans to challenge the result in court, alleging irregularities during voting, counting, and transmission of results.

His planned legal challenge means the political contest has continued beyond the declaration of the official result.

Kafwaya’s death now adds another layer of tension as Zambia awaits the opposition’s formal election petition.

EU Raised Concerns Over Zambia Election Environment

International observers described voting day as largely peaceful, but raised concerns about the broader political environment surrounding the election.

The European Union highlighted restrictions affecting opposition activities and concerns over media freedom, while describing aspects of the campaign environment as uneven.

Those observations have taken on greater significance following the post-election arrests and Kafwaya’s death.

The government, meanwhile, has maintained that its security operations are connected to threats against the state rather than political retaliation.

Kafwaya Killing Adds to Zambia’s Post-Election Tensions

The death of a former cabinet minister during a security operation involving figures linked to the main opposition candidate is likely to face significant scrutiny.

Questions will center on the circumstances of the exchange of gunfire, the basis for the alleged insurgency investigation, and the treatment of those detained during the operation.

The incident also comes at a sensitive moment for Zambia, a country with a longstanding reputation for competitive elections and peaceful transfers of political power.

With Mundubile preparing to challenge Hichilema’s 2026 election victory in court, how authorities investigate Kafwaya’s death and handle opposition figures could become an important test of public confidence in Zambia’s institutions.

For now, Mutotwe Kafwaya’s killing has transformed an already disputed election aftermath into a wider debate over political security, accountability, and the rule of law in Zambia.