A video claiming to show UPND cadres assaulting police officers during the 2026 election campaigns is misleading. iVerify Zambia has established that the footage is not recent and was originally circulated in March 2021 during the previous general election period. The video has been reposted without its original context, creating the false impression that it shows a current incident.
Claim
On 13 July 2026, the Flying Eagles Facebook page published a video captioned: “UPND Cadres beat up Police Officers.” The post did not provide any information about when or where the incident occurred, leading some users to believe that the confrontation had happened during the 2026 election campaign period.
Original post:
Verdict: Misleading
Rating Justification
iVerify Zambia has established that the viral video is not a recent incident from the 2026 election campaigns. The footage is an old video that was originally circulated during the 2021 general election period.
A reverse search and review of archived posts found that the same video was published on 12 March 2021 by a Facebook page called NKANI and was subsequently shared by other online platforms during the 2021 elections.
Although the footage appears to show an altercation involving individuals alleged to be UPND cadres and Zambia Police officers, there is no evidence that the incident occurred in 2026. The recent reposting of the video without the original date, location, or context creates the impression that it is a current event linked to the ongoing election campaigns.
Fact-Checking Process
iVerify Zambia analysed the video using digital verification techniques, including reviewing the earliest available uploads and comparing the circulating footage with archived versions online.
The verification established that:
- The video predates the 2026 election campaign period.
- The earliest traceable publication identified was from 12 March 2021.
- The video was circulated during the 2021 general election period.
- The recent post by Flying Eagles did not disclose the original date or context of the footage.
Evidence
Original/earlier version of the video:
Conclusion
The viral video does show an alleged confrontation involving people described as UPND cadres and Zambia Police officers, but it is not from the 2026 election campaign period. It is an old video from 2021 that has been recirculated without its original context.
Sharing old election-related footage as though it depicts a current event can mislead audiences and influence perceptions about the present electoral environment. Content shared during elections should provide accurate dates, locations, and context to allow the public to make informed judgments.
If you have evidence of a claim that requires verification, or would like iVerify Zambia to investigate other suspected misinformation, send a message to our tipline: +260 762 974 750 or email factcheck@panos.org.zm.
