Government Denies Police Raid on Independence Vigil

The government has dismissed social media claims that police stormed a Christian prayer vigil in Lusaka on Independence eve.

Officials say worshippers at the Olympic Youth Development Centre dispersed peacefully after organisers voluntarily called off the event - and that no officers were even deployed to the scene.

The Standing-in-the-Gap prayer group had planned an all-night vigil for 23 October to mark Independence Day.

But police asked them to postpone, saying officers were already committed to two major events that night - a state banquet for a visiting head of state and the midnight flag-hoisting ceremony led by the vice-president.

Despite receiving this advice on 22 October, organisers proceeded with preparations. By evening, worshippers had gathered at the venue.

Around 21:00, the group's leadership told the crowd about the police request and asked them to leave, which they did without incident.

Shortly after, posts began circulating online claiming police had tear-gassed and forcibly dispersed the congregation.

"That is a total fabrication meant to mislead the public," said Thabo Kawana, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Media.

He accused political opponents of exploiting the incident to portray the government as hostile to religious gatherings.

Mr Kawana urged Zambians to verify information through official channels rather than "unverified social media accounts that thrive on spreading falsehoods".

The government maintains it supports freedom of worship, provided events follow security procedures.

It warned that spreading deliberate misinformation could be treated as an attempt to destabilise public order.