Government dismisses shooting deaths claim, confirms pellet injury in Kalingalinga unrest

LUSAKA – The Zambian government has emphatically denied widespread social media claims alleging that police fatally shot several individuals during a crowd management operation in the Kalingalinga and Mtendere townships of Lusaka on Wednesday. While strongly refuting reports of multiple deaths, authorities have confirmed that one person sustained a pellet injury during the volatile incident. The clarification comes amidst heightened public concern and speculation following the unrest, which reportedly involved police intervention during an opposition political party's roadshow. The incident unfolded in the densely populated areas of Kalingalinga and Mtendere, where police were deployed to manage a gathering associated with a roadshow by the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP). Eyewitness accounts and circulating videos depicted scenes of confusion and the deployment of teargas, leading to public outcry and the rapid spread of unverified information regarding casualties. The government's swift response aims to counter the narrative of excessive force leading to fatalities, though the confirmation of a pellet injury still raises questions about the methods employed during the crowd dispersal. The timing of the unrest has added another layer of complexity, as it occurred on the first day of a five-day national mourning period declared for the late former Vice President, Dr. Guy Lindsay Scott. This period, running from July 16th to 20th, 2026, has seen restrictions on certain public gatherings and entertainment activities. Opposition figures, including NRPUP presidential candidate Brian Mundubile, have condemned the police action, arguing that their campaign activities were peaceful and lawful, and questioned the selective application of restrictions given alleged campaign activities by the ruling party. Police operations in densely populated urban areas like Kalingalinga and Mtendere often present significant challenges, balancing public o