01/06/2026
GARY NKOMBO Charged With Assault
By Arnold Tutu
Police in Mazabuka have charged former Local Government and Rural Development Minister GARY NKOMBO with two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The charges arise from an alleged altercation during the filing of nomination papers for the Mazabuka Central parliamentary seat.
Southern Province Commanding Officer MOONO NAMALONGO says the charges followed two reports lodged at Mazabuka Police Station on May 20, 2026.
The complainants, BILDEN SHALOBA, 50, of the Waterfalls area in Lusaka, and EMMANUEL MWEEMBA, 36, of Nkabika Compound in Mazabuka, alleged that they were assaulted by Mr. NKOMBO and his supporters at Mazabuka Civic Centre.
Mr. SHALOBA reported sustaining a swollen left hand, back pain and general body pain.
He also alleged that K20,000 went missing during the incident.
Mr. MWEEMBA told police that he suffered a swollen right little finger and a swollen right arm after allegedly being struck with unknown objects.
According to police, the incident occurred at about 09:25 hours on May 20, when the two complainants went to Mazabuka Civic Centre to support VINCENT LILANDA, who was filing nomination papers to contest the Mazabuka Central Constituency parliamentary seat on the United Party for National Development –UPND- ticket.
Police say it is alleged that Mr. NKOMBO and his supporters questioned the presence of the two men before allegedly assaulting them.
Mr. NAMALONGO says investigations were launched following the reports, and Mr. NKOMBO was summoned through a call-out on May 29, 2026.
He says the former minister reported to Mazabuka Police Station on June 1, 2026 at about 14:10 hours, where a warn-and-caution statement has been recorded.
Mr. NKOMBO has since been formally charged with two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm contrary to Section 248 of the Penal Code, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
He has been released on police bond pending further police action.
Police say investigations into the matter are continuing.
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