Security Probe Widens Around Tonse-Linked Figures and K7.3 Million
🇿🇲 BRIEFING | Security Probe Widens Around Tonse-Linked Figures and K7.3 Million
A joint team comprising Zambia’s defence and security agencies has arrested several suspects over an alleged plan to interfere with the country’s electoral system, bringing together several developments which have unfolded around figures linked to the Tonse Alliance in recent days.
Home Affairs and Internal Security Permanent Secretary Dickson Matembo says Japhen Mwakalombe, Mwila Kakana and Sensho Banda are required to assist investigators after being found with more than K7.3 million.
Tonse has maintained the money came from sympathisers and was intended for polling agents and vote-protection operations. Its presidential spokesperson George Chisanga earlier said: “The amount of money seized by the state agents such as DEC is about K7.3 million. It was meant for voter activities, but now it’s gone to the state.”
The state is presenting a different account. Matembo says investigators have not established the source and intended purpose of the money and have asked the three men to explain it.
“Despite being invited by the State to explain the source of the funds, the three have written through their lawyers indicating that they would only be available after Aug. 14, 2026,” he said.
The investigation comes against the background of an earlier disclosure by Tonse Alliance Chairperson for Presidential Affairs Binwell Mpundu, who said members of the alliance’s security team had been sent to Russia for training before returning to Zambia, after which he alleged they had been abducted.
The disclosure drew attention from security agencies and subsequently became part of the wider public dispute surrounding Tonse personnel and state investigations.
President Hakainde Hichilema had earlier addressed the Russia issue during his ZNBC interview, saying: “You can’t send people to a foreign country to learn military skills and come back to disrupt elections in this country, and expect not to be arrested. You will be arrested.”
The President described himself during the same remarks as the country’s “chief shushushu”, referring to his position at the apex of the state security structure.
Matembo now says investigators have also recovered what government describes as sensitive military intelligence information from electronic devices seized during the investigation. A 56-year-old Kenyan national, Michael Njuka, has been arrested over allegations he was contracted to engage in cybercrime targeting the state.
These allegations remain under investigation and have not been determined by a court.
The ministry has also rejected Tonse’s repeated claims of abductions. It says former Ambassador Martha Lungu and journalist Hannah Katontoka were apprehended to assist investigations and subsequently released.
“Law enforcement and security agencies will continue to take all necessary lawful measures to safeguard national security and protect critical systems from attempts to undermine the electoral process,” Matembo said.
Campaigns closed at 18:00 hours Wednesday. Zambia is now in the final hours before polling on Thursday, August 13. What began with Tonse’s disclosure about personnel trained in Russia has developed into arrests, a disputed K7.3 million seizure, alleged military intelligence material and an alleged cyber-security operation.
The state has made serious allegations. Those allegations still require evidence, due process and, where charges follow, determination by the courts.
© The People’s Brief | Ollus R. Ndomu