Police arrest two suspected Tonse Alliance members over Kitwe attack

Police arrest two suspected Tonse Alliance members over Kitwe attack

Police in Kitwe have arrested two suspected Tonse Alliance members in connection with an alleged attack on three people believed to be affiliated with the UPND, as police investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Kitwe, 28 July – Police spokesperson Godfrey Chilabi said the incident occurred on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at Eshuko Apartments, off 21st Street in Nkana East Township.

The development follows competing allegations over the incident, with Tonse Alliance member Binwell Mpundu claiming on social media that UPND cadres armed with guns and other weapons had attacked alliance officials at the apartments.

Mpundu alleged that the group was led by UPND Wusakile parliamentary candidate Katayi Chibesa.

Chibesa has, however, rejected the allegations, saying he arrived at the scene only after receiving information that UPND members had allegedly been assaulted.

In a statement, Chilabi said Nkana East Police Station was investigating a case of assault involving three victims identified as Felix Mwape, 25, of Ndola; Karisto Mwanza, 42, of Lusaka; and Jane Chisala, 19, of Kitwe.

He said police received a report alleging that the three had been attacked by suspected political cadres believed to be affiliated with the Tonse Alliance.

According to police, the victims sustained various injuries, including general body pains and a cut to the head.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the victims were allegedly assaulted using kicks, sticks, fists and stones.

Chilabi said information gathered by investigators suggested that the three had gone to Eshuko Apartments in search of accommodation when the alleged attack occurred.

Police officers responding to the report rushed to the scene and rescued the victims.

Officers also retrieved a white Toyota Quantum from the scene, which was secured and placed in police custody pending verification and completion of the necessary procedures before being released to its owner.

Medical forms were issued to the injured people to enable them to seek treatment.

Chilabi identified the two suspects arrested in connection with the incident as Benjamin Sichinga, 34, and Bornwell Kakumya, 51.

“Preliminary information indicates that the suspects are believed to be affiliated with the Tonse Alliance, while the three victims are believed to be affiliated with the UPND,” Chilabi said.

He said investigations were continuing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and verify the identities and political affiliations of everyone involved.

Meanwhile, Chibesa dismissed allegations that he led UPND cadres in an attack on Tonse Alliance members, describing the claims as false.

Speaking in an interview, Chibesa said he went to the apartments after being informed that some UPND members who had travelled from Lusaka had allegedly been attacked.

He said the UPND members had gone to the premises looking for accommodation and were unaware that Tonse Alliance members were staying at the same apartments.

Chibesa said that by the time he arrived, the confrontation had already ended and police officers had surrounded the premises.

“What happened is that we heard our people from Lusaka had been attacked, and I was called and asked to come and help rescue our friend,” he said.

He said he was later informed that the matter had been taken to Nkana East Police Station and subsequently went there.

Chibesa said police advised those gathered at the station to leave and assured them that the matter would be investigated.

He denied claims that he had issued instructions for anyone to attack Tonse Alliance members, saying he had gone to the police station alone after believing his colleagues were there.

“Those allegations are lies. They are just trying to cover themselves because they are the ones who beat up people at the apartments, three of them,” Chibesa said.

He maintained that the three alleged victims had only gone to the apartments in search of accommodation and had not known that Tonse Alliance members were staying there.

Police have not yet announced any charges, and investigations into the incident are continuing.

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