Government has dismissed as false and misleading social media reports alleging that 18 illegal miners were shot dead by police in Kikonge, Mufumbwe District. The clarification comes amid growing online speculation about a violent confrontation between law enforcement and illegal miners in the North-Western Province.
In a press statement issued by Principal Public Relations Officer Mr. Mwala Kalaluka, Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Hon. Jack Mwiimbu, MP, confirmed that only two people had died, with one additional civilian injured. He further revealed that 11 police officers sustained injuries, including two seriously wounded, during a violent fracas as law enforcement attempted to disperse a massive crowd of illegal miners.
“Contrary to social media reports, there was no mass shooting in Kikonge. The situation involved a chaotic attempt to disperse over 50,000 illegal miners who had converged in a 120-kilometre radius,” Mwiimbu stated.
The Minister explained that security forces were deployed to restore order in the area, which had seen an overwhelming influx of illegal miners seeking access to valuable mineral deposits. While efforts were made to peacefully disperse the crowd, tensions quickly escalated, resulting in the confirmed casualties.
“The presence of such large numbers posed a significant security and safety threat, both to the miners themselves and to the surrounding communities,” the statement noted.
Hon. Mwiimbu reiterated the government’s position of zero tolerance toward illegal mining, emphasizing the importance of upholding law and order and protecting national resources.
“We will not allow disorder and illegal exploitation of minerals to take root. Law enforcement will act decisively to secure Zambia’s mining territories,” he added.
In light of the misinformation circulating online, the government has called for calm and urged the public to refrain from spreading falsehoods that may cause undue panic or disrupt ongoing security operations.
“We ask all citizens to exercise restraint and verify information before sharing it,” Mr. Kalaluka stressed.
The government maintains that it is closely monitoring the situation in Kikonge and surrounding areas, with additional measures being implemented to prevent further unrest while exploring long-term solutions to regulate and formalize small-scale mining activities.
If proactive measures had been put in place, rather than this firefighting approach, no life would have been lost.
Only 2 people have died is a lot of lives. Who ever said only 2 people have died needs to be censured. No single life must be lost. This is how Zambians are suffering trying to make ends meet, but because you have no clue on bread and butter issues on the ground is the reason you are talking of non impact issues like free education. For clarity, no one went to the polling station on election day to vote for free education, if you do not agree with me, conduct your own survey. Sort out the economy, PF economy was even better
Better late than never,bwana.Government should never loose control.That mob won the first round by beating up law enforcers.They thought they could do it once again.A lesson had to be taught.Its a government of laws.No PF mentality today
50,000 !!!
Why was it allowed to get to this ???
This just highlights the inefficiency of our police and security
Always waking up late
much like trapping mororists for imaginary white lines
This is not coincidental, it’s by design. Keep them busy, keep them fighting whilst the rear earth minerals are leaving unseen to the naked eye. By 2026, this country will explod3.
LT Why dont you mention the fuel shortage ??
This is a typical miscarriage of justice. 2, 12 or 20 people affected is not an issue. The effect is the same. Were we not told that judicial ki!!ings are only synonymous with PF? How terribly wrong we were.
The reality is different.
To the PF cadres, that fact that police officers were injured by the illegal miners matters less to them. It does not help with their 2026 political ambitions
What makes you think they were Pf I bet most were upnd or non aligned
Thet like others were just fed up after being left alone for so long
Were they given noticed to leave or typical of our police just to rush in heavy handed
Much like the blue lights and grz Land cruisers pushing people off the road going to some meeting
cant they leave ealier or the day before ?? Most motorists will agree it’s worse than ever now
Sorry ba Chilolo we wont believe you because you have looked at the victims and decided none of your relatives are involved because only two people had died, What minister says only two people had died? One who doesnt know democracy. One who wasnt voted in by people. Only two people cant make you lose an election ka?
The Chunsu mwana Kwenyu team is failing on all fronts, they’re a disaster. It seem they can’t do anything right. It’s easy for them to issue statements because none of their own has been shot dead. Lives have been lost and all you can do is issue statements? What kind of people are these? They only how to issue threats
The power of social media is so potent. Even the issued statements can easily be fact checked by citizens. Which wrong doing has the upnd government ever admitted, apologised. We have incorrigible leaders. To them, even stopping a national mourning is an extension of it.
That’s is failure to being real.
The worst government ever. I was UPND but I have defected. To where, I don’t know. In short I am in the still in the wilderness. I am looking for an opposition party with a tangible, practical and solid plan for Zambia. It may be disorganised, maybe with a few members, but there must be some plan atleast
You are not alone Thre are millions of us looking where to put out vote now
If the party is failing us doesnt the head have to take rsponsibilty for this ??
Jus a question
The government must take decisive action to guarantee an organized and equitable distribution of our resources. This responsibility certainly does not extend to taking a single life. In any other democracy, Jack Mwiimbu would have been removed from his position to send a clear and strong message to the nation regarding the tragic incident.
Ah is this like the time one called a press conference to announce to the world that they had ‘captured’ a wanted ‘fugitive’ who was going to be eradicated within 24 hours… up to now to we are still waiting for him to arrive from Salisbury…