VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN THREATENS DEMOCRACY

NGOCC condemns attacks on Chongwe East aspiring candidate Anita Kamanga and calls for urgent police action to protect women in politics

By Francis Maingaila ♥️ 

Lusaka, Zambia24  —  12-08-2026 – Non-Governmental Organisations’ Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has condemned what it described as a disturbing pattern of physical, emotional and online attacks targeting Anita Kamanga, an independent aspiring candidate for Chongwe East Constituency.

Board Chairperson Beauty Katebe told Zambia24 that NGOCC had received with grave concern a report of Violence Against Women in Elections (VAWE) involving Kamanga, who has reportedly faced harassment since the beginning of her campaign.

“Ms. Kamanga and her supporters have been attacked on several occasions while preparing for campaign meetings,” Katebe said.

She said that in one incident, the alleged perpetrators reportedly made a false report to Kanakantapa Police Station, claiming to have been victims of violence.

According to Katebe, the report resulted in the arrest and continued detention of one of Kamanga’s supporters.

She said the alleged attacks and persistent threats had left Kamanga and her campaign team genuinely fearful for their safety.

Katebe said the reported targeting of Kamanga should not be treated as an isolated incident, arguing that it appeared to form part of a wider pattern of intimidation and detention of political opponents across the country.

She warned that violence and harassment against women seeking political office have consequences that extend beyond the individuals targeted.

According to Katebe, such conduct undermines democratic participation, erodes public confidence in the electoral process and discourages women from pursuing leadership and public service.

She said the attacks also send a worrying message to women across the country who may wish to participate in politics.

Katebe called on the Zambia Police Service to urgently investigate the reported attacks and prioritise the safety of Kamanga and her campaign team.

She further urged the police to impartially review the circumstances surrounding the arrest of Kamanga’s supporter and take appropriate action against anyone found responsible for the alleged assaults and death threats.

Katebe also called on law enforcement agencies and the justice system to treat threats against women candidates seriously and ensure that perpetrators of VAWE are held accountable.

She appealed to the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to use its mandate under the Electoral Code of Conduct to ensure a safe and enabling environment in which Kamanga can campaign without fear or intimidation.

Katebe also urged political actors and rival candidates in Chongwe East to publicly reject violence and intimidation and restrain their supporters from engaging in electoral aggression.

“Violence against women in politics is not a private dispute, but an attack on Zambia’s democracy,” Katebe said.

She said NGOCC, through the Ziko Lathu Consortium Elections Situation Room, would continue monitoring Kamanga’s case and was prepared to support her in pursuing justice through available legal and institutional channels.