Govt regrets the death Of Mutotwe Kafwaya and warns against Social Media Abuse.
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The Government of the Republic of Zambia has extended its deepest condolences to the family of the late Honorable Mutotwe Kafwaya, who formerly served as the Minister of Works and Transport, expressing profound regret over his passing. In light of this unfortunate incident, the government has issued a strict advisory that no further comments should be made regarding the matter, as it is currently under active investigation by law enforcement agencies. This solemn statement serves to honor the memory of Mr. Kafwaya while emphasizing the gravity of the situation and the ongoing legal processes involved in determining the facts surrounding his death.
Following the conclusion of the 2026 presidential general elections, the government has addressed the nation with a strong call to safeguard peace, unity, and stability, which are described as the defining hallmarks of Zambia since gaining independence in 1964. The administration commends the Zambian people for their consistent rejection of discord and insurrection, yet it warns that this peace must not be taken for granted. Recent observations reveal a disturbing increase in social media content promoting hatred, cruelty, and insulting language under the guise of freedom of expression, including the vile practice of using children to insult leaders and elders, which the government condemns as contrary to national values and Christian teachings.
The government has expressed serious concern over reckless statements from prominent political figures, including former parliamentarians, that call for homicide, assassination, or harm against fellow citizens and the president, labeling such acts as highly unpatriotic and distinctly criminal. While respecting the constitutional right to freedom of expression, the administration emphasizes that this freedom comes with a heavy responsibility to avoid division and destruction, urging all citizens to reject a culture that threatens national tranquility. The message is clear that social media should be used to inform, unite, and build the nation rather than to engage in unhealthy vitriol, trolling, or spreading unverified narratives intended to cause fear and panic among the populace.
Ultimately, the government underscores that peace, unity, and stability are essential prerequisites for social, economic, and political development, upon which democracy, the economy, and individual lives depend. It commends the Electoral Commission, security personnel, media, and voters for their tireless efforts in conducting a successful election process that stands as a testament to the country's democratic maturity. With national security forces on full alert to ensure safety, the government makes an urgent appeal for maximum restraint online, cooperation with law enforcement, and a collective commitment to protect the cherished inheritance passed down by the founding fathers for future generations.
Read the full video transcript
The
government of the Republic of Zambia
extends its condolences to the family of
the late honorable Mutotwe Kafwaya
who once served as Minister of Works and
Transport.
The government further regrets the death
of Mr. Kafwaya.
Government wishes to advise
that no further comments shall be made
regarding
this unfortunate incident as it is the
subject of an investigation
by law enforcement agencies.
May his soul rest in peace.
Following the conclusion of the 2026
presidential general elections
the government wishes to address the
nation
regarding the importance of safeguarding
the peace
unity
and stability that are the defining
hallmarks
of our country.
Government wishes to urge the nation
that we only have one country, Zambia.
And we must all defend
and protect the peace
unity and stability
that we have enjoyed since attaining
independence in 1964.
The government commends the people of
Zambia
for being peaceful people who have
consistently rejected any attempts by
some among us
to sow seeds of discord and create
fertile grounds for insurrection.
We must not take
this peace for granted.
Recently
before during and after the 2026
presidential general election government
has noticed an increase in social media
content
which promotes hatred,
cruelty,
insulting language,
and by citizens of this country on the
pretext of freedom of expression.
Government has also observed that some
of the citizens are using children to
insult leaders and the elders in society
and publishing the content of such vile
videos on social media.
This is not who we are.
Government has also observed with
concern
prominent political personalities, some
of whom once served as members of
parliament,
publishing and sharing social media
content that is calling for homicide
or killing of other fellow citizens and
leaders.
Equally concerning are the reckless
statements by some individuals
calling for harm or the assassination of
the president.
Such statements are not only highly
unpatriotic,
but also distinctly criminal,
and they will be dealt with firmly
in strict accordance with the laws of
Zambia.
Let us use social media to inform,
unite,
and build our nation
rather than to divide
and destroy it.
Government has observed with concern
that the heightened vitriol and trolling
that is being exchanged between the two
sides of the political divide is
unhealthy
in our call to preserve
Let me read that again. Government has
observed with concern that the
heightened vitriol and trolling that is
being exchanged between the two sides of
the political divide is our is
unhealthy.
In our call to preserve the peace,
unity, and stability of of our country,
we must ensure this stops.
Zambia has over the years been an envy
of others in her maturity with which she
handles post-election results.
All Zambians know
that all when all is said and done,
the whole country galvanizes itself
around the leader that has been chosen
by the majority, and the elected leader
becomes the father of not only those who
voted for him or her, but those who did
not vote for him.
Government wishes to condemn the
inappropriate behavior that is slowly
emerging in the strongest possible terms
because it goes against our Christian
values.
Government therefore calls upon all
citizens to equally reject this strange
culture
of those who do not seem to appreciate
the peace and tranquility we enjoy
as a country.
The peace, unity, and stability
should be a treasured inheritance that
was passed on to us by our founding
fathers, and we have a duty and
responsibility as men and women of full
age and competent understanding to pass
it on to our children and our children's
children.
Government underscores the fact that
there cannot be any social, economic,
and political development without peace,
unity, and stability.
Our democracy depends on it. Our economy
depends on it, and our lives depend on
it.
Government commends the Electoral
Commission of Zambia, all officials,
security personnel, election observers,
the media, and most importantly, the
voters themselves who worked tirelessly
to deliver this election.
Despite various challenges,
the electoral process was fully
conducted and successfully concluded.
This achievement stands as a profound
testament
to our democratic maturity.
While differing political views are a
normal and expected part of any
post-election period,
we call upon everyone to respect the
outcome of the process and allow
constitutional processes to take their
rightful and unimpeded course.
We strongly urge the public not to lend
credence to unverified narratives
intended to cause fear,
panic, and division among our people.
Peace is not an accidental occurrence.
It is the product of deliberate,
conscious choices made by citizens,
leaders, and the democratic institutions
we have established for ourselves.
I therefore call upon all Zambians to
actively protect our cherished peace.
We must unequivocally refrain from
violence, the destruction of property,
and any form of provocation.
Our national security wings are on full
alert to ensure the absolute safety of
all persons and property, and we urge
every citizen to cooperate fully with
law enforcement agencies as they
maintain law and order.
The government makes a sober and urgent
appeal regarding ongoing social media
commentaries.
We must exercise maximum restraint and
responsibility online.
It is completely unacceptable to involve
children in adult political discourse or
to use digital platforms to hurl insults
at the head of state and other political
leaders.
We wish to reaffirm that the government
respects and upholds freedom of
expression as guaranteed by our
constitution.
However,
freedom comes with responsibility.
We therefore urge the media to act
responsibly and safeguard the country's
peace and unity.
Further, government appreciates the role
that the church has played in preaching
peace,
love, and unity.
This is as it should be.
Government, through the office of the
secretary to the cabinet, will provide
regular updates to the nation on all
post-election matters and other emerging
national issues.
May God bless the people of Zambia. I
thank you.