Zambia police dismisses social media claims of armed officers at Tonse Alliance launch

The Zambia Police has denied what it termed social media rumours claiming that heavily armed officers sealed off the venue for the Tonse Alliance launch.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Zambia Police Spokesperson, Rae Hamoonga, labeled the reports as unsubstantiated, misleading and designed to incite unnecessary public alarm.

Hamoonga stated that the Zambia Police Service operated with transparency and accountability, noting that all official actions were documented and communicated via verified channels.

“Any information circulating outside these official communications should be treated with caution,” Hamoonga stated.

He specifically addressed those allegedly involved in spreading these claims, including Emmanuel Mwamba, Sean Tembo, and the administrator of the Patriotic Facebook page, advising them to refrain from distributing unverified and potentially inflammatory content.

Hamoonga warned that if these actions escalated to criminal behaviour that disrupted public order or incites unrest, the Zambia Police Service would not hesitate to act in accordance with the law.

“The long arm of the law will address any behavior that compromises public safety or seeks to erode trust between law enforcement and citizens,” he said.

Hamoonga urged the public to verify any information related to police operations directly with the Zambia Police Service’s public relations office or official communication platforms, stressing that misinformation could have serious consequences.

He reaffirmed the police’s commitment to maintaining peace, security and accurate public information.

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