A viral video circulating on social media shows a genuine incident involving Zambia Army personnel. However, claims that the assault was carried out on the orders of President Hakainde Hichilema are not supported by any official information or credible evidence reviewed by iVerify Zambia. The Zambia Army has confirmed that the soldiers shown in a viral video assaulting an apprehended individual are members of the Army and says disciplinary action has been taken against those involved.
Claim:
On 10 August 2026, a Facebook page named Hon. Emmanuel Jay Banda published a video purportedly showing Zambia Army officers assaulting an individual who appeared to have been tied to a tree and whipped. The video was accompanied by a caption alleging that the incident involved Zambia Army officers assaulting individuals over gold allegedly discovered in Mufumbwe. The post further claimed that the assault was carried out on the instructions of President Hakainde Hichilema, through the Army Commander, and accused the authorities of ordering the killing of ordinary Zambians who had discovered gold.
The caption concluded with the phrase, “This is the meaning of SALT SANA.”
Verdict: Misleading
Rating Justification
iVerify Zambia’s verification established that the Facebook post is misleading because, while the video depicts a genuine incident involving Zambia Army personnel, there is no credible evidence supporting the claim that President Hakainde Hichilema ordered the assault or the killing of people who had allegedly discovered gold.
In a press statement issued on 10 August 2026, the Zambia Army confirmed that the soldiers seen in the circulating video were members of the Zambia Army.
The Army said disciplinary action had been taken against the soldiers involved and that they had been charged accordingly. It also stated that the Platoon Commander, Lieutenant Japhet Banda, who was responsible for the troops at the time of the incident, had been dismissed from the Army.
The Zambia Army further reiterated that it does not condone indiscipline and that the conduct depicted in the video was inconsistent with its values of professionalism, discipline and respect for human dignity.
However, there is an important distinction between what the Army has confirmed and what the Facebook post alleges.
The Army’s statement does not mention President Hakainde Hichilema or indicate that he instructed the soldiers, through the Army Commander, to assault or kill people who had allegedly discovered gold.
iVerify Zambia’s review of the available official information also found no credible evidence that President Hichilema issued such an instruction. None of the information reviewed in connection with the incident attributes the soldiers’ actions to an order from the President.
Conclusion
The video shows a genuine incident involving members of the Zambia Army and an apprehended individual. However, the additional claim that President Hakainde Hichilema ordered the soldiers to kill or “exterminate” ordinary Zambians is not supported by the available evidence.
The Facebook post is therefore misleading because it combines a genuine video of misconduct by Army personnel with an unsubstantiated allegation of a presidential order.
At a time of heightened political contestation and increased circulation of election-related content online, attributing unlawful conduct by individual security personnel to an unverified order from the President can seriously mislead the public. Such claims can undermine trust in government and security institutions and create the false impression that misconduct by individual soldiers was authorised at the highest level of government.
Evidence:
Zambia Army statement confirming the identity of the soldiers and disciplinary action taken against those involved: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Hs4Ary7h1/
