Zambia's Hichilema orders probe into political killings

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has ordered security agencies to investigate two politically motivated killings and vowed to crack down on violence, as the country heads toward general elections in August.

The president directed a full investigation into deaths reported in the districts of Kaputa and Mazabuka within a 24-hour period, saying those responsible must be brought to justice. He stressed that the law applied equally to all citizens regardless of political affiliation and warned that anyone found guilty of violence would face the full force of the law.

Hichilema said Zambia's reputation as a beacon of peace in the region had been built on resolving differences through democratic processes rather than violence, and appealed for calm ahead of the vote.

The warning came as the president launched his re-election campaign before thousands of supporters at a Lusaka stadium, urging Zambians to protect the country's economic progress by backing his party in the 13 August general election.

Highlighting his record, Hichilema pointed to the introduction of free education, which he said had enabled more than 2.5 million children to return to school, an expanded school-feeding programme, and the recruitment of tens of thousands of teachers. The campaign sets up a closely watched contest in one of southern Africa's key democracies.