A recent visit by President Hakainde Hichilema to Chiwempala Market in Chingola District, Copperbelt Province, turned riotous, sparking strong reactions from various political and labor bodies. The President's visit was intended to assess the damage from a recent market fire and show humanitarian support to affected citizens. However, a group of unruly individuals, described as illegal miners and criminals, engaged in violent acts, including throwing stones at the presidential podium, damaging property, looting shops, and even burning a police motor vehicle, a white Toyota Land Cruiser registration number ZP 2537 B, at Chikola Secondary School grounds. The incident led to President Hichilema abandoning his scheduled address.

The Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) swiftly condemned the riotous behavior, with President Blake Mulala describing it as criminal and unacceptable. In a statement from Lusaka, Mulala expressed profound sadness, noting that such incidents had become rare since the 2021 change of government. He asserted that such “barbaric conduct” undermines Zambia’s democracy, peace, unity, and civility, stressing that violence is never a solution, regardless of grievances. Mulala demanded that security wings swiftly bring all perpetrators to justice without fear or favor and called on all political leaders to unreservedly condemn the attack. He emphasized that those involved were not political actors but criminals, warning that the “ugly face of political hooliganism” appeared to be resurfacing, threatening national peace and stability. The ZCTU urged the Zambia Police Service to dismantle all illegal groupings, irrespective of their affiliations, ensuring no one hides behind political power to commit crimes.

Conversely, the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) Spokesperson, Anthony Chibuye, attributed the Chingola incident to the “collective failure of the Hichilema administration to address key challenges facing Zambians.” Chibuye argued that the events were a clear “exposé of the general feeling of the Zambian people countrywide” and a message that President Hichilema had “lost popularity on the ground.” He cited the reported low turnout at the Kitwe derby, despite the President buying 30,000 free tickets for the 35,000-seater Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, as further evidence of public discontent. Chibuye commended the presidential security team for advising the President to leave the stadium earlier to prevent a similar incident and appealed to President Hichilema to consider resigning due to his faded popularity.

In response to the violence, Inspector General of Police, Graphael Musamba, confirmed the arrest of three additional suspects, bringing the total number of arrests to five. Those arrested and charged with arson include James Banda (30), Arnold Mbewe (22), and Jackson Mbulo (25). Earlier arrests identified Abraham Chilumbu (24) and Abraham Sichone (21). Musamba warned that acts of violence, riotous behavior, and property destruction would not be tolerated, assuring the public that police would continue to pursue all perpetrators until they were brought to book. The incident was officially reported to Chingola Central Police Station by Superintendent Lloyd Kanondo.

Speaking at a meeting with United Party for National Development (UPND) structures across the Copperbelt Province, President Hichilema issued a stern warning to the youths involved in the Chingola disruption. He cautioned them against repeating such behavior and declared that any attempt to disturb future elections would be met with firm action. The President also urged UPND grassroots structures to immediately begin reorganizing and mobilizing members for the 2026 General Elections, promising that campaign funds would be dispatched soon. On the economic front, President Hichilema highlighted Zambia’s ranking as the best-performing economy globally, attributing it to ongoing reforms aimed at attracting investment and stimulating growth, and called for sustained progress and stability. Mines and Minerals Development Minister Paul Kabuswe, Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Chipoka Mulenga, Copperbelt Province Minister Elisha Matambo, Technology and Science Minister Felix Mutati, Labour and Social Security Minister Brenda Tambatamba, and Transport and Logistics Minister Frank Tayali were among those who attended the meeting.