Police Seal Off Chipata Rally Grounds as Mundubile Faces Fresh Clampdown
By Tonse Pamodzi Staff Reporter Chipata, Zambia – June 20, 2026
State police in Zambia today cordoned off Mpezeni Park in Chipata, Eastern Province, blocking a major rally planned by leading presidential contender Brian Mundubile.
The move, confirmed by Japhen Mwakalombe, head of elections in the Tonse Pamodzi Alliance, has sparked outrage among opposition supporters who accuse authorities of shrinking democratic space ahead of the August 13 polls.
“I can confirm that police have sealed off the entire Mpezeni Park where President Mundubile and his running mate were supposed to address voters and party members this afternoon,” Mwakalombe said.
He said police cited a social media advisory allegedly linked to the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) banning presidential rallies until a new timetable is issued
“It is sad that state police can act on a social media report before receiving written communication from the ECZ,” he added.
Mwakalombe, a former cabinet minister and Ambassador, likened the move to changing rules midway through a soccer match. “Politics involves millions of Zambians, yet the ECZ decides to change rules in the middle of the game. This is a sad chapter in Zambian history. Even in soccer, this can’t happen,” he said.
The clampdown underscores the challenges facing President Hakainde Hichilema as he seeks re-election
His administration has been criticized for rising poverty levels, soaring food prices, and the cost of mealie meal—a staple that has become unaffordable for many households. Analysts note that Hichilema’s popularity has waned, with frustrations over unemployment and economic stagnation eroding his support base.
Mundubile, meanwhile, has emerged as a formidable challenger, drawing record crowds in Kitwe, Kabwe, and Petauke—numbers running into hundreds of thousands.
His message of economic revival and promises to restore fairness in governance have resonated with citizens struggling under current hardships.
Observers say the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) is unnerved by the sheer size of Mundubile’s rallies, which contrast sharply with Hichilema’s claim that “there is no opposition worth counting” in Zambia.
This is not the first time Mundubile has faced state obstruction. His rallies in Solwezi were previously blocked, his phones and passport seized, and he was, in March, stopped from boarding a plane under controversial circumstances.
The opposition argues that Zambia remains the only democracy in Africa to have banned political rallies for nearly five years, a restriction that has disproportionately disadvantaged challengers while the incumbent campaigns freely.
The European Union, United Nations, and Amnesty International have all raised concerns that Zambia’s democratic space has shrunk under Hichilema’s rule.
Whether today’s rally in Chipata will proceed remains uncertain, but Mundubile’s growing momentum—evident in Petauke yesterday—suggests that attempts to silence him may only fuel public discontent ahead of the decisive August vote.
The August polls are expected to be a two-horse race between Mundubile and incumbent Hichilema, say analysts.
State police did not comment when reached.