Zambian President Hichilema's Address Descends into Violent Chaos in Chingola

The recent events in Chingola, specifically in Chiwempala, have drawn widespread condemnation and ignited calls for immediate action after the President's life was reportedly subjected to an imminent threat. The incident, involving stone-throwing, has been described as an affront to the rule of law and the dignity of the nation, prompting strong reactions from political figures.
Honorable Sunday Chilufya Chanda, Member of Parliament for Kanchibiya Constituency, emphatically stated that such attacks must be condemned by every citizen across all political divides, asserting that violence is not an instrument of politics. He emphasized that any imminent threat to the Head of State is intolerable and demands swift and decisive consequences. Chanda called for a full, transparent, and impartial investigation into the Chingola events, with findings made public and those responsible prosecuted. He also advocated for a review of security arrangements to ensure the safety of public officials and citizens while safeguarding the right to peaceful assembly. Furthermore, Chanda urged for a firm but lawful response from security services against inciters of violence, collective leadership from all political parties and traditional leaders to publicly condemn such acts, and urgent community outreach to address grievances through dialogue, preventing frustration from escalating into violence. He underscored that protecting the Head of State transcends partisanship, serving to protect the institutions and shared values that bind Zambians, insisting that disagreements must be resolved through discussion, law, and democratic processes, never through violence.
Clayson Hamasaka, in his remarks, strongly condemned the continuation of what he termed 'abuse' against the President by 'criminals,' likening it to the 'last kicks of a dying horse.' He recounted the brutal attacks the President and the first family endured while in opposition, with bullets, stones, and teargas, vowing that such experiences will never be repeated. Hamasaka commended security officers for opening fire, affirming that there will be 'law and order' and that 'peace is what Zambians voted for, and peace is what this President continues to deliver.' He took full responsibility for the last-minute decision to include Chiwempala in the President's schedule to meet citizens who had lost their livelihoods, reinforcing the commitment that the government will not tolerate a return to the 'division and violence of the PF.'
Bruce Kanema, UPND Youth Chairman for North Western Province, expressed profound disappointment at what he labeled the 'unruly, disrespectful and treasonous behaviour' of the 'jarabos' in Chiwempala. He suggested that in other countries, such actions could have led to bloodshed. Kanema questioned the effectiveness of intelligence in Chingola and at State House, implying a security lapse by subjecting the President's life to such danger. He even went so far as to suggest that 'many people being fired including three ministers' should result from this incident. Kanema warned against youths being exploited to throw stones at the President, particularly when the President had visited to assist those affected by business losses. He called for the law to take its course rigorously to prevent such behavior from spreading across the country, advocating for a 'serious clean up' involving both leaders implicated in past 'black mountains' issues and the 'jarabos' themselves, noting that similar stone-throwing incidents were last witnessed when UPND was in opposition.
Collectively, these statements highlight a unified resolve to reject political violence, uphold democratic principles, and ensure accountability for those who threaten national stability and the Head of State. The incident has intensified calls for robust security measures, legal prosecution of offenders, and concerted efforts from all sectors of society to foster peaceful civic engagement and dialogue.
Recommended Articles
Gunfire Disrupts White House Dinner, Suspect Arrested as Trump Evacuated Safely

A shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C., led to the urgent evacuation of Presi...
Chaos Erupts: Trump Evacuated During White House Correspondents’ Dinner Shooting Incident

The White House correspondents' dinner was violently interrupted by gunshots, leading to the swift evacuation of Preside...
Zambian Electoral Drama: Alliances Scramble to Field Candidates Amidst Nomination Chaos

Zambia's August 2026 General Elections are marked by intense nomination controversies, with the Tonse Pamodzi Alliance f...
Ex-Health Minister Katakwe's Explosive Apology Stirs Zambian Public Service

Former Minister of Health Dr. Alex Katakwe has issued an apology and clarification over remarks on public officers' cond...
Zambia's Heartbreak: President Hichilema Mourns Passing of Venerated Archbishop Mpundu!

Zambia is mourning the loss of Archbishop Emeritus Telesphore George Mpundu of Lusaka, a courageous and principled advoc...
Zambia's Tourism Soars: New Board to Steward Explosive Visitor Growth

Zambia has inaugurated a new Board of Directors for its Tourism Agency, signaling a major step towards becoming a global...
You may also like...
Sensational Season: Fernandes Crowned Premier League's Top Player

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been named Premier League Player of the Season and Football Writers’ Assoc...
Anime Crowns Its Champion: 'My Hero Academia Final Season' Dominates Crunchyroll Awards

The 10th Crunchyroll Anime Awards, held in Tokyo, celebrated the best in anime with "My Hero Academia Final Season" crow...
Cannes Shockwave: Jury President Park Chan-wook's Bold Claim Rocks Film Festival

The 79th Cannes Film Festival concluded with Cristian Mungiu winning the Palme d’Or for "Fjord," making him a two-time l...
Critical Delays Loom: Kenya Airways Warns Against Maintenance Bill

Kenya Airways has raised significant concerns with Parliament over the proposed Strategic Goods Control Bill, 2026, fear...
Nigeria Unleashes WhatsApp AI Platform for Public Services Access

Nigeria's federal government has launched GovGuideNigeria, an AI-powered platform designed to improve citizens' access t...
OpenAI Trial's Stark Revelation: The Battle for AI's Soul Between Profit and Purpose
A recent trial between Elon Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman highlighted the astronomical costs of AI development, reveali...
Nigeria Pioneers Digital Governance, Launching Services on WhatsApp

Recent developments showcase Africa's tech momentum, with Nigeria launching an AI-powered government services chatbot on...
Google's Groundbreaking Agentic AI Overhaul Reshapes Search

Google I/O 2026 ushers in an era of agentic intelligence, transforming Google from an answering machine into a proactive...