Claim
On 21st October, 2021, Zambia Daily Mail Newspaper published an article that claimed that the Kaumbwe Consituency by-elections recorded occurrences of political violence on voting day around Nyalinga polling station following campaigns marred with violence.
Rating Justification
The Fact Checking process has determined as true the claim that incidences of political violence that characterized the Kaumbwe election campaigns had continued on the voting day. A statement obtained by iVerify from Zambia Police Spokesperson, Mr. Rae Hamoonga, confirmed that an incidence of political violence was recorded around Nyalinga polling station. This followed a report of malicious damage to a Toyota Corolla Registration number ABR 2720 belonging to Patriotic Front Kaumbwe Constituency Chairperson, Mr. Goodson Lungu. In a separate phone call by iVerify to the Patriotic Front Kaumbwe Constituency Chairperson, Mr. Lungu confirmed an incidence of political violence on poling day and confirmed the damage to his motor vehicle. Relating to violence observed during the campaign period, the Electoral Commission of Zambia Corporate Affairs Manager, Ms. Patricia Luhanga, issued a statement in which the Commission strongly condemned campaign violence in three instances where the Socialist Party, Democratic Party and Patriotic Front supporters had been attacked and campaign schedules disrupted in Kaumbwe Constituency.
