In a tragic turn of events following Zambia's recent presidential election, former minister Mutotwe Kafwaya was killed during a security operation in Lusaka. The police confirmed that Kafwaya was fatally wounded during an exchange of gunfire on Friday, just a day after the election results were announced.

The raid was part of a larger operation conducted by a joint security task force targeting properties linked to opposition leader Brian Mundubile. Authorities have accused Mundubile's political alliance of engaging in insurgency and militia activities. During the operation, police reported the arrest of 11 individuals and the recovery of firearms.

Kafwaya, who served as Minister of Works and Supply and later as Minister of Transport and Communications under former President Edgar Lungu, was identified as a significant opposition figure. He had been a member of parliament since 2016 and continued to serve in the opposition after Lungu's defeat in the 2021 elections. Following the recent election, which saw President Hakainde Hichilema declared the winner with approximately 60% of the vote, tensions have escalated, particularly with Mundubile receiving around 38%.

In the wake of Kafwaya's death, Mundubile has gone into hiding and has vehemently denied the allegations against him, calling them “total fabrications.” He stated that he had not been informed of Kafwaya’s whereabouts following the shooting. The police described the incident as a confrontation where security forces faced “gunfire and resistance from unknown individuals,” leading to the return of fire that resulted in Kafwaya's death.

The aftermath of the election has been marked by increased political unrest, with several opposition figures arrested during the raid. The United Nations human rights chief has expressed deep concern regarding these arrests, urging Zambian authorities to respect the due-process rights of those detained.

Moreover, the European Union election observation mission has raised alarms about the electoral process, highlighting issues such as delays in vote counting, inadequate verification procedures, and a heavy military presence at various tallying centers. As the situation unfolds, the circumstances surrounding Kafwaya’s death are expected to attract significant scrutiny, with demands for greater transparency regarding the security operation and the treatment of opposition members following the election.