A dispute has emerged between the Zambia Police Service and independent Mazabuka Central parliamentary candidate Gary Nkombo following the disruption of his campaign launch rally at Ndeke Grounds in Mazabuka over the weekend.
Police say the former Mazabuka Member of Parliament breached the agreed campaign schedule by holding a rally in an unauthorized location, while Nkombo has accused authorities of political persecution and undermining his electoral campaign.
According to Southern Province Police Commanding Officer Moono Namalongo, officers were compelled to use tear gas after Nkombo’s supporters allegedly ignored repeated instructions to vacate the venue.
“Police were forced to disperse the supporters using tear smoke after a number of warnings,” Namalongo said.
He explained that under the official campaign timetable, Nkombo had been allocated the Nega Nega area for his campaign launch and not Ndeke Grounds, where the gathering took place.
However, Nkombo has rejected the police version of events. In a statement, he claimed he possessed a signed agreement dated June 4, 2026, witnessed by the local Electoral Commission office, authorizing the use of Ndeke Grounds for the event.
The former Minister of Local Government and Rural Development described the police action as unlawful and alleged that it was intended to disadvantage independent candidates.
Nkombo further claimed that tear gas canisters were fired toward his private residence during the operation and expressed concern over what he described as a pattern of actions against him.
He cited several incidents, including an alleged assault on nomination day, his arrest on June 1, and a decision by the Electoral Commission of Zambia to withdraw his previously approved candle campaign symbol.
The independent candidate called on police to uphold citizens’ constitutional right to peaceful assembly and urged the ECZ to remain impartial in administering the electoral process.
Nkombo also dismissed social media reports suggesting that he had withdrawn from the parliamentary race or endorsed another candidate, maintaining that he remains firmly in the contest for the Mazabuka Central seat as an independent candidate.
The incident adds to growing political tensions in the constituency as campaigning intensifies ahead of the August 13 general elections.
Every action has a reaction like it or not