Claim
On 17th August, 2021, Kalemba, an online news website published a story that claimed that criminals operating under the guise of being members of the newly elected ruling party, the UPND, have in some cases been involved in the illegal acts of destruction and stealing of public and private property across the country. The report states that the alleged criminals attacked those believed to be affiliated to the former ruling Patriotic Front party. The report further alleged that incidences of violence and confusion have been recorded in various markets and bus terminus across the city of Lusaka.
Rating Justification
The Fact-Checking process has determined as true that criminals have been involved in the illegal acts of destruction and stealing of public and private property across the country. The attacks were carried out on those believed to be affiliated to the former ruling party, the Patriotic Front. A video report by the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) analyzed by the Fact-Checking team confirm that several shops at the Edgar Chagwa Lungu Mall in Kitwe were broken into in the early hours of 16th August, 2021 and goods worth millions of Kwacha looted, as people were celebrating President Elect Hakainde Hichilema’s victory in the 12th August general election. In a separate incident, criminal acts were recorded on the 16th August, were unknown people vandalized mobile money transaction booths in Lusaka’s central business district immediately after the Eletoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) officially announced UPND’s Hakainde Hichilema as the winner of Zambia’s General elections. The iVerify Fact-Checking team further fact checked a video report by Victoria Kayeye and Memory Nyambe from Diamond TV entitled ‘Post Elections,’ which confirmed an incident where the Patriotic Front Secretariat property was stolen and destroyed. Following the events, the Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja issued a statement where he directed all police officers to ensure that they act swiftly and bring to a stop the prevailing violence and criminal acts. According to a Wednesday, August 18, 2021, Daily Nation Newspaper, Vol.7 issue 3026, Police Spokesperson, Ms. Katongo noted that criminals were taking advantage of the victory celebrations and want to act as cadres. She further confirmed that 15 people have been arrested in connection with the violence and looting in Lusaka and ECL mall in Kitwe, and that the police are following up on culprits that took part in the looting.
