Claim
The Patriotic Front Facebook page claimed that a member of the United Party for National Development (UPND) was involved in the kidnapping of 13 girls who were rescued in Chalala area. The page stated on October 3, 2022, that a UPND cadre was among those arrested by police in connection with the abductions in Lusaka. Vael Muzwenga popularly known as King Roma V Jay is among the suspects arrested by police over the kidnappings. After his arrest, the Patriotic Front Facebook page published images of the man wearing UPND party regalia, triggering speculations that some members of the ruling party were involved in the abduction of the girls.
Rating Justification
iVerify Zambia has established as unproven the claim by the Patriotic Front Facebook page that Vael Muzwenga popularly known as King Roma V Jay who was arrested by police on suspicion that he was involved in the abduction of the 13 girls rescued in Chalala area, is a member of the UPND.
Inspector General of Police Lemmy Kajoba said in a statement released in Lusaka that Muzwenga was in custody and helping police with the investigations but did not state if the suspect was a member of the UPND or indeed any other political party as investigations are still ongoing.
And UPND Kabwata Constituency Chairman, Sulwe Isaac Hamuchele, refuted the claims by the Patriotic Front Page that Muzwenga was a member of the UPND. He said UPND members had membership cards in line with the party’s constitution but which was not the case with supporters. He said the images of the suspect wearing UPND party regalia were taken in 2016 prior to the 2016 general elections.
