The Bemba Royal Establishment has formally put its name to reports that armed people travelling in six vehicles have been pressing villagers in Lunte District to show them the grave of the late former Cabinet Minister Mutotwe Kafwaya. In a statement dated October 17, 2026, Secretary to the Chitimukulu Richard Mukuka said the matter was reported to Paramount Chief Chitimukulu Kanyanta-manga II by Senior Chief Shibwalya Kapila of the Lisunga Bemba Kingdom. According to the statement, the people involved have been using threats and coercion to get villagers to point out the burial site. The Royal Establishment described the conduct, directed at its subjects, as highly provocative.
The statement moves the matter beyond social media accounts that some had been quick to dismiss in recent days. It explains that Bemba customary law requires matters affecting UbuBemba at village level to be reported to the territorial chief, who then reports to the Chitimukulu or the Chitimukulu-in-Council. The report therefore reached the paramount seat through the formal customary channel, from a senior chief whose territory covers the area concerned. The Royal Establishment noted that Kafwaya was UmuBemba from the Lisunga territory of UluBemba, where his remains were buried. It stressed that within Bemba traditions and customs, burial places are sacred and normally out of bounds when no burial is taking place.
Kafwaya, 49, served as Lunte Member of Parliament and held the portfolios of Minister of Works and Supply and Minister of Transport and Communications. He died on August 14, 2026, during a joint security operation at the Kabulonga residence of opposition leader Brian Mundubile in Lusaka, a day after the general election. In the days that followed, early accounts that he had been shot were publicly dismissed, with the Ministry of Defence denying reports that he had been wounded and admitted to hospital. On August 19, police confirmed that he was the man fatally wounded during the operation, after his family identified the body. His family later declined Government’s offer of burial honours befitting a former Cabinet Minister and buried him privately in Lunte on August 30.
That history has left many in the area unwilling to treat the latest reports lightly. Earlier this week, former diplomat Emmanuel Mwamba said unidentified people had been visiting villages asking residents to identify the grave, and that family members had not been shown any court order or official document relating to the burial site. The Royal Establishment’s intervention now gives those concerns the backing of the highest traditional authority in UluBemba. Government and the Zambia Police Service had not publicly commented on the matter by press time. The Royal Establishment has directed all media enquiries to Mr Mukuka at Chitimukulu Palace.
Below is the full statement:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AKAFIISHA-MUTIMA MU LUBEMBA
[Chitimukulu Palace, Chitimukulu, MUNGWI – 17 October 2026] – The Bemba Royal Establishment wishes to bring to the attention of AbaBemba, the residents of UluBemba, and the general public the following:
- The Bemba customary law of governance requires that matters that affect UbuBemba at the village level be reported to the territorial chief. Subsequently, the territorial chief reports to the Chitimukulu or the Chitimukulu-in-Council.
- His Royal Highness ShiBwalya-Kapila of the Lisunga Bemba Kingdom of Lunte District of Northern Province has informed Chitimukulu Kanyanta-manga II that heavily armed people, moving in six vehicles, are using threats and coercion to force villagers to show them the grave of the late Honourable Mutotwe Kafwaya. The late Honourable Mutotwe Kafwaya was UmuBemba from the Lisunga territory of UluBemba. After he was murdered, his mortal remains were buried in Lisunga.
- Within Bemba traditions and customs, burial places are very sacred, and normally out-of-bounds when there is no burial taking place.
- The reported acts of coercion, targeting the subjects of the Bemba Royal Establishment and asking the subjects to desecrate a burial place, are highly provocative to the Bemba Royal Establishment.
Issued by:
Richard Mukuka
SECRETARY TO THE CHITIMUKULU
Media Contact (Only):
Name: Richard Mukuka
Address: Chitimukulu Palace, Chitimukulu, MUNGWI
Email: ulubemba@gmail.com
Phone: 0977402280
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