Social media posts, mostly on Facebook, falsely claimed that a UPND supporter was killed by fellow party members during a dispute over money allegedly distributed by aspiring
parliamentary candidate Elvis Nkandu. Available evidence from the Zambia Police contradicts the central claim that the deceased was killed by fellow UPND supporters over campaign money. Instead, the fatality occurred during a violent inter-party confrontation between supporters of two different political parties, according to preliminary police investigations.
Claim
On 30 June 2026, the Facebook pages National Reconciliation Party Information and Publicity Desk and Zambian Scorpion published posts alleging that a member of the United Party for National Development (UPND) in Kaputa District was killed by fellow party supporters following a dispute over money allegedly distributed by UPND Kaputa Constituency aspiring candidate Elvis Nkandu during a door-to-door campaign ahead of the August 2026 General Elections.
Verdict: False
Rating Justification
iVerify Zambia verified the claim with the Zambia Police Service. Public Relations Officer Godfrey Chilabi confirmed that police investigations do not support allegations that the deceased was killed by fellow UPND members over campaign funds.
According to Mr. Chilabi, police recorded a murder case that occurred on 29 June 2026 at approximately 19:35 hours in Pump House Village, Kaputa District.
Preliminary investigations established that the deceased, Humphrey Lwisha, a UPND supporter, was fatally injured during a violent confrontation between supporters of the UPND and the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP).
Police established that a group of UPND supporters had travelled from Kaputa Boma to Pump House Village, where they later encountered NRPUP supporters at a local drinking place. The confrontation escalated into a physical altercation during which Mr. Lwisha was allegedly stabbed in the head. He was rushed to Kaputa District Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Mr. Chilabi further confirmed that ten suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident, while investigations remain ongoing and efforts to apprehend additional suspects continue. He also stated that the Zambia Police Service has deployed additional officers to Kaputa District to maintain peace, law and order.
The information provided by the police directly contradicts the social media claim that the deceased was killed by fellow UPND supporters during a dispute over campaign money.
Conclusion
The claim that a UPND supporter in Kaputa was killed by fellow party members over campaign money is false.
Police investigations indicate that the deceased died during a clash involving supporters of the UPND and the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP), not as a result of an internal dispute within the UPND.
Publishing unverified claims about politically sensitive incidents can fuel misinformation, heighten tensions, and undermine public confidence during an election period. This case underscores the importance of verifying claims against authoritative sources before sharing them, particularly when they concern electoral violence or loss of life.
Evidence
- Facebook posts by National Reconciliation Party Information and Publicity Desk and Zambian Scorpion (published 30 June 2026).
- Verification with the Zambia Police Service through Public Relations Officer Godfrey Chilabi.
- Preliminary police investigation into the murder of Humphrey Lwisha in Pump House Village, Kaputa District.
- Police confirmation that ten suspects have been arrested and investigations are ongoing.
