TONSE ALLIANCE ACCUSES UPND OF USING POLICE TO TARGET KELVIN KAUNDA

The political landscape in Zambia has intensified following the formal arrest and charging of Lima Constituency Member of Parliament Kelvin Kaunda by the Zambia Police Service. The Tonse Alliance, a coalition of opposition parties, has come out fiercely against the development, alleging that the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) is improperly utilizing state security apparatus to systematically target opposition figures and suppress dissenting voices ahead of upcoming political activities. According to police statements, Mr. Kaunda was taken into custody and charged under Section 248 of the Penal Code, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia, following allegations of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The charges stem from an incident reportedly recorded on August 7, 2026, along Zingalume Road during political campaign roadshows in Lusaka. Complainant Anthony Mwamba alleged that he sustained physical injuries, including a deep cut to the forehead and a swollen upper lip, during an altercation involving the lawmaker. Law enforcement officials confirmed that the case is proceeding toward judicial review. In response to the arrest, the Tonse Alliance released a scathing statement condemning what they termed selective justice and political harassment. The opposition coalition argued that the escalation of criminal charges against sitting opposition members reflects a growing intolerance for political pluralism under the current administration. They asserted that police procedures are frequently fast-tracked when complaints involve opposition figures while similar grievances filed by opposition members against ruling party supporters reportedly face administrative bottlenecks. Supporters of Mr. Kaunda and various opposition alignments have echoed these sentiments on social media platforms, expressing outrage over the timing and handling of the arrest. Conversely, civil society groups and legal observers have emphasized the importance of allowing due pr