Government has dismissed as false and misleading social media reports suggesting that 18 suspected illegal miners were shot dead by police in Kikonge area of Mufumbwe District, North-Western Province.

Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Hon. Jack Mwiimbu, MP, highlighted the following through a press release by Principal Public Relations officer Mr. Mwala Kalaluka:

✅The claims are not true, only two people were confirmed dead, one injured, and 11 police officers were hurt and two of them were seriously injured during a fracas that broke out as police moved in to disperse thousands of illegal miners.

✅Revealed that over 50,000 illegal miners had converged in the 120-kilometre radius around Kikonge, prompting security reinforcements to manage the situation.

✅Explained that while efforts were made to peacefully disperse the crowd, tensions escalated, resulting in the afforementioned deaths and injuries.

✅And the Minister reiterated his earlier stance that no illegal mining activities will be tolerated in the area, as government moves to restore law and order and protect national resources.

✅The Government has called for calm and urged members of the public to refrain from spreading misinformation that may cause unnecessary alarm.