By The Weekly Vision Correspondent
Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema came under a barrage of stones hurled by angry citizens in Chingola District last weekend, who accused him of attending the inauguration of Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan following her controversial election victory, which was marred by the arrests of opposition leaders, internet shutdowns, and violence.
The president was forced to duck behind the presidential podium and later take cover as the projectiles rained down. Zambians also accuse him of failing to deliver on his election promises.
The shocking incident occurred during a public engagement event, underscoring his growing unpopularity in former strongholds, a development that could make his re-election bid in 2026 an uphill task.
Security personnel swiftly intervened and escorted the President to safety as the situation spiralled into chaos, with scenes of rioting and vandalism witnessed at the venue.
Eyewitnesses said some protesters chased the presidential motorcade, pelting vehicles with stones. A police Land Cruiser was overturned and torched, while a presidential tent and several portable toilets were destroyed.
Hichilema, who swept to power in 2021 on a wave of optimism and reformist rhetoric, has seen his popularity plummet steadily, especially in the Copperbelt and other urban regions that were once strongholds of his United Party for National Development (UPND).
Many citizens are frustrated by the sluggish economy, rising unemployment, and soaring cost of living, all of which have eroded the goodwill that ushered him into office.
In a brief statement, the Zambia Police Service confirmed the incident: “We can confirm that there were incidents of disorder during the President’s visit. Law enforcement responded promptly, and calm has since been restored,” a police spokesperson said.
Reacting to the incident, parliamentary aspirant Isaac Mwendela Nsoneka condemned the attack, describing it as both “an assault on the person of the Head of State” and “a reflection of the growing frustration and discontent among citizens.”
He added: “Such an event sends a troubling message to the rest of the country and the world — that our people are losing patience, that confidence in leadership is diminishing, and that the social contract between the governed and those who govern is under severe strain. When citizens resort to acts of aggression or public disorder, it is often a sign that dialogue has broken down and that the promises of good governance, accountability, and economic prosperity have not been met.”
The Copperbelt chaos marks one of the most serious expressions of public anger against President Hichilema’s administration since he assumed office a stark reminder of the mounting pressure he faces ahead of the next general election.
