Zambia police testifies in case alleging President Hichilema directed a raid on Lungu’s residence

Zambia Police Public Relations Officer, Rae Hamoonga, has denied allegations made by Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary-General, Raphael Nakacinda, who claimed that President Hakainde Hichilema had directed law enforcement agencies to raid the residence of former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu.

Nakacinda had suggested that the alleged raid was a diversion from an ongoing eligibility case in the Constitutional Court.

Testifying before Lusaka Chief Resident Magistrate Davies Chibwili, Hamoonga recounted his actions on September 27, 2024, after being alerted about a circulating video.

The video, linked to the Patriotic Front, falsely claimed that President Hichilema had ordered the Zambia Police, Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), and Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to search Lungu’s residence.

Hamoonga confirmed that he immediately consulted with Inspector-General, Graphel Musamba, to verify the claims, and was told that no such operation had been authorized.

After receiving this confirmation, Hamoonga said that he issued an official statement to refute the claims.

According to him, he later learned that the video, which had called for PF members to gather on Chifwema Road, was the source of the allegations.

In cross-examination, Hamoonga admitted that the press release did not mention Nakacinda’s name.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.