Government Regrets Kafwaya's Death, Raises Concern Over Social Media Posts

Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa has told Zambians that government will make no further public comment on the death of former Lunte Member of Parliament Mutotwe Kafwaya while the matter remains under investigation, and used a wide-ranging post-election briefing to warn that social media posts calling for the killing of citizens, leaders, or the President himself will be "dealt with firmly and in strict accordance with the laws of Zambia."

Opening his remarks, Kangwa extended government's condolences to Kafwaya's family, saying government "regrets the death of Mr Kafwaya." He added: "Government wishes to advise that no further comments shall be made regarding this unfortunate incident, as it is the subject of an investigation by law enforcement."

Kangwa then turned to the broader climate since the 2026 election, framing his remarks as an appeal to protect what he called the peace, unity and stability Zambia has enjoyed since independence in 1964. He commended Zambians for consistently rejecting what he described as attempts "to sow seeds of discord and create further grounds for insurrection," but said government had observed a rise in social media content "which promotes hatred, cruelty, insulting language" around the election period.

Kangwa singled out two trends he called particularly troubling. First, he said government had observed citizens "using children to insult leaders and the elders in society," and publishing that content online, saying plainly, "This is not who we are."

Second, and more seriously, he said government had noted "prominent political personalities, some of whom once served as members of Parliament," sharing content "calling for homicide or killing of other fellow citizens and leaders," alongside separate "reckless statements" calling for harm to or the assassination of the President. "Such statements are not only highly unpatriotic, but also distinctly criminal," Kangwa said, and would be dealt with under the law.

He described the "heightened vitriol and trolling" between opposing political camps online as "unhealthy," and invoked what he called Zambia's history of post-election maturity, in which the country traditionally unites behind whichever leader the majority chooses, arguing an elected president becomes "the father of not only those who voted for him or her, but those who did not." Kangwa condemned the current trend as inconsistent with the country's Christian values and called on citizens to reject it.

On the election itself, Kangwa commended the Electoral Commission of Zambia, its officials, security personnel, election observers, the media and voters for delivering a process he called "a profound testament to our democratic maturity" despite unspecified challenges along the way. He urged Zambians to respect the outcome and allow constitutional processes, an apparent reference to the legal challenge NRPUP's Brian Mundubile has said his alliance intends to pursue, to run their course, and cautioned the public against "unverified narratives intended to cause fear, panic, and division."

Kangwa closed with an appeal for restraint specifically around children's involvement in political discourse and insults directed at the President and other leaders online, while reaffirming that government "respects and upholds freedom of expression as guaranteed by our Constitution." He said national security agencies remained "on full alert" to ensure public safety, thanked the church for its role in preaching peace, and said the Office of the Secretary to Cabinet would continue providing regular updates on post-election matters going forward.