The incident occurred while the president was visiting Copperbelt Province to assess the damage caused by a fire that had ravaged the Chiwempala Market, and to discuss issues related to mining activities in the area.

Reports indicate that a group of angry residents began throwing stones toward the podium. Security officers immediately surrounded the president, shielded him, and swiftly evacuated him along with his delegation to a secure location.

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No injuries were reported, but the incident raised concerns about the president’s security and that of other leaders during public engagements.

Following the attack, President Hichilema did not address the issue directly in his speech, but through a Facebook post, he emphasized that he had heard the people’s concerns and pledged to seek lawful solutions to their problems.

He wrote:“Today, we took time to engage with our citizens in the Chiwempala area following the fire that affected the major market in Copperbelt. The people also raised issues related to mining and expressed the need to continue mining activities in Senseli.”

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The event sparked widespread debate on social media and among political figures in Zambia  with some saying it reflected public frustration over the country’s worsening economy, while others criticized weaknesses in the president’s security arrangements during public appearances.

The Zambian government has not yet released an official statement on the incident, but it is seen as a sign of growing public tension, especially over mining-related issues and living conditions in the Copperbelt region.