Police arrest former Mazabuka MP, Nkombo, weeks after assault incident at nomination venue (Video)

Barely a month after being assaulted for filing in as an Independent candidate for Mazabuka Central by alleged UPND cadres, Gary Nkombo has been arrested and charged with two counts of assault after his rivals reported the matter. On May 20, 2026 during the nomination process, Zambia Monitor had reported how Nkombo was manhandled by alleged UPND cadres who were reportedly unhappy with his decision as he went to file in his nomination to contest as an Independent candidate. On May 22, police apprehended five suspects in connection with the case of harassment of Nkombo and damage to his property.

Nkombo, 60, reported the case at Mazabuka Central Police Station on May 20 where he complained to have sustained a bruised left arm, a painful right arm, and general body pains. His shirt and sunglasses were also damaged in the incident. The incident sparked public outrage with organizations such as the Non Governmental Gender Coordinating Council (NGOCC), the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ), and Advocatesfor Democratic Governance Foundation (ADEG) among others condemning the violent incident.

However, Nkombo was on Monday taken in for questioning before being made to appear before officers at Mazabuka Central Police Station where the charges were read to him. The former lawmaker has however, denied the assault charges and vowed to defend himself in the courts of law. “It is true that an arrest has been effected with two counts of assaults which count we have denied and we are going to go to court to defend ourselves and we are very hopeful that justice will prevail,” he stated.

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Nkombo indicated that he had engaged a team of lawyers to represent him during the trial and expressed hope that the judicial process would be fair and transparent. “From my end if I knew then what I know now I’m sure i will be happy and that I personally did not see the future to be like this and I can only say that from my eyes the future is no longer what it used to be,” Nkombo said. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.

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