Social media posts falsely claim that a radio repair technician was killed for playing an opposition campaign song and misidentify photographs from Kenya as evidence from Zambia. iVerify Zambia established that the images were taken during election-related violence in Kenya, while the Zambia Police have stated that investigations into the technician’s death are ongoing and no suspects have been identified.
Claim
On 16 July 2026, the Facebook page Flying Eagles–Zambia published a post containing several photographs of an armed man, claiming he was a Zambia Police officer and a United Party for National Development (UPND) “assassin” who allegedly killed a radio repair technician for playing the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) campaign song, “Mundubile na Makebi Bengile.”
The post further alleged that the same individual had been assigned to assassinate NRPUP President Brian Mundubile.
A similar post using the same photographs and making similar allegations was also published on the Smart Eagles–Zambia Facebook page on the same day.
Verdict: Misleading
Rating Justification
iVerify Zambia analysed the images used in the Facebook posts using digital verification techniques, including reverse image searches and cross-checking with credible news reports.
The analysis established that the photographs did not originate from Zambia. Instead, they were taken in Ol Kalou, Kenya, where hooded armed men disrupted a parliamentary by-election on 16 July 2026. Multiple Kenyan media reports published the same images in connection with the unrest.
iVerify Zambia also reviewed a Zambia Police Service press statement issued on 6 July 2026 regarding the death of Nelson Chikumbi, a 32-year-old radio repair technician from John Laing Compound in Lusaka.
According to the police statement:
- Mr. Chikumbi was allegedly assaulted by unknown individuals following an altercation at Kabesha Market on 3 July 2026, where he operated a radio repair business.
- He was treated at Chawama Level One Hospital before his condition deteriorated, leading to his death.
- Police investigations were ongoing.
- No arrests had been made.
- The identities and motives of those responsible had not yet been established.
The official police statement does not indicate that Mr. Chikumbi was attacked for playing an election campaign song, nor does it identify any suspect linked to a political party or the Zambia Police.
The Facebook posts therefore combine unrelated photographs from Kenya with unsupported allegations about an ongoing criminal investigation in Zambia, creating a false and misleading narrative.
Fact-Checking Methodology
To verify the claim, iVerify Zambia:
- Conducted reverse image searches and digital image verification to establish the origin of the photographs.
- Compared the images with credible Kenyan news reports covering the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election violence.
- Reviewed the official Zambia Police Service statement regarding Nelson Chikumbi’s death.
- Cross-checked whether any official source had identified suspects or established a political motive for the killing.
Why This Matters During an Election
False or misleading claims that attribute violent crimes to political actors without evidence can inflame political tensions, undermine public trust in institutions, and increase the risk of violence during an election period. Misusing images from another country to support such allegations also misleads the public and distorts the facts surrounding ongoing criminal investigations.
Conclusion
The claims published by Flying Eagles–Zambia and Smart Eagles–Zambia are misleading. The photographs used as evidence were taken in Kenya, not Zambia, and there is no verified evidence that Nelson Chikumbi was killed for playing an NRPUP campaign song or that the individual shown in the photographs was involved in his death. The Zambia Police have stated that investigations remain ongoing and that no suspects had been identified at the time of their statement.
Help Fight Misinformation
Before sharing politically sensitive content:
- Verify whether images are recent and originate from the claimed location.
- Rely on credible and official sources, especially during election periods.
- Be cautious of posts that make serious allegations without verifiable evidence.
- Report misleading content that could incite violence or spread false information.
Protecting information integrity is a shared responsibility. Verify before you share.
