By Mubanga Mubanga
The Zambia Police and Citizens First (CF) have diverged in their narration of the accident incident which happened today in Solwezi.
According to the police account, the two pedestrians who were ran into by a driver who lost control in the Solwezi accident said to be linked to Kalaba, were coming out of a Church gathering the opposition leader reportedly attended.
Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga explained that the police through Kyawama Police Station confirmed having received a report of a Road Traffic Accident (RTA) which occurred yesterday July 8, 2025, at approximately 12:30 hours.
Hamoonga stated that the incident took place at Kawanda–Kimasala Road junction, opposite Solwezi Day Secondary School, involving a motor vehicle and three pedestrians.
“The accident involved a Mercedes Benz ML4 bearing registration number ACX 9047, which was being driven by Male Joseph Ilela, aged 33, of Kimasala Compound, Solwezi. Preliminary investigations indicate that the driver, due to excessive speed, failed to control the motor vehicle while turning from Kawanda into Kimasala Road and in the process hit three pedestrians who were exiting the Church building at St. Stevens Roman Catholic Church,” he stated.
Hamoonga stated that the victims had been identified as Jennifer Matalaushi, 54, who complained of general body pains, Elizabeth Matalaushi, 52, who sustained a fractured hand and juvenile, aged 9, who sustained a cut on the left hand, bruises on the right thigh, and general body pains.
He stated that all three victims were rushed to Solwezi General Hospital where they were admitted and reported to be in stable condition.
“Brief facts of the matter are that the motor vehicle was being driven along Kawanda Road from south to north. While attempting to join Kimasala–Muzabula Road, the driver lost control due to excessive speed and ran into the pedestrians, who were coming out of a church gathering that was reportedly also attended by Mr. Harry Kalaba, the opposition party leader of the Citizen First Party,” Hamoonga stated.
He stated that following the incident, the driver was forcibly removed from the vehicle and beaten by a mob.
Hamoonga stated that the driver sustained a cut on the forehead and complained of general body pains.
“He is receiving treatment at Urban Clinic. It has also been reported that the motor vehicle key was grabbed from him by an unknown person during the commotion.The matter is under active investigation and necessary measures are being taken to ensure that justice prevails,” Hamoonga stated.
He to urged all road users to exercise maximum caution and observe speed limits, especially in residential and school zones, to avoid such unfortunate incidents.
But Kalaba offered a conflicting account to the one given by the police.
In his own statement, Kalaba indicated that he landed in Solwezi today to drum up support for the CF candidate in the Kamisala ward by-election Webster Kyabala.
He said thereafter he and team went to pay a courtesy call on Father Zulu at St. Stephens Catholic Church, and that when they left the Parish thru experienced a white ML Mercedez car which was being driven by an unknown person, driving towards their direction, particularly where Kalaba was positioned.
He said at that moment, his alert security team pushed him to ensure and ensured he escaped unhurt. However, two pedestrians, a women and a child were left injured and complaining of fractured limbs and were rushed to the nearest health facility for treatment.
“Another person who was hurt in the incident is our Copperbelt provincial Chairperson Maynard Musonda who also sustained a fractured arm and leg,” Kalaba stated. “At the time of the accident, information we gathered indicated that the suspected vehicle in question is believed to belong to the UPND Provincial Youth Chairman but could we could not confirm if he was the driver at the time.The driver was later apprehended by an irate mob that witnessed the unfortunate event and the matter has since been reported to the Police.”
He stated that for his safety, he was immediately evacuated to a safe place where he was recovering from the traumatic experience.
