Mark Simuuwe denies Shakafuswa made ethnic remarks

UPND media director Mark Simuuwe has issued a defense of former Finance deputy minister Jonas Shakafuswa following allegations of inflammatory remarks. Simuuwe denied claims circulating on social media that Shakafuswa stated the “Bemba people are the problem in the country.”

According to Simuuwe, Shakafuswa’s actual statements focused on the northern region being the most aggrieved regarding the outcome of the 2026 general election, viewing it as an opportunity to return power to that region. Simuuwe characterized the ethnic allegations as fabrications by the Facebook page Zambia Freedom and stated that the matter has been reported to anti-cybercrime authorities for investigation.