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Nakonde District Commissioner (DC), Marvelous Sikapizye, has apologised to the nation after earlier announcing that seven or nine people had died from gunshot wounds at Nakonde District Hospital amid cross-border tension with Tanzania.
Following verification, Sikapizye confirmed that two people had died — both Tanzanian nationals.
He said one of the victims died on Wednesday and was taken to Urban Clinic as “brought in dead” (BID), while the second passed away today at the district hospital.
Sikapizye, who had initially provided incorrect figures during a live broadcast on Chete FM News, expressed regret for the misinformation and thanked the public for their patience as accurate details emerged.
Read more: Border violence claims 7 lives in Nakonde amid Tanzanian unrest (Video)
He said business in Nakonde and Tunduma was slowly returning to normal.
“Tanzanian truck drivers who had been stranded in Tunduma since Wednesday have now been cleared to cross into Zambia up to 19:00 hours, following successful engagements between authorities on both sides of the border,” Sikapizye said.
During the same radio programme, Sikapizye had earlier stated that seven people had died at Nakonde District Hospital between Wednesday and Friday after sustaining gunshot wounds amid escalating tensions along the Zambia–Tanzania border.
He had reported that the victims — all men from Nakonde and Tunduma — were struck by stray bullets in the “no-man’s-land” area on the day of Tanzania’s election.
At the time, he said the men were rushed to Nakonde District Hospital for treatment but later died from their injuries.
He further said that in Tunduma, Tanzania, all shops had reportedly closed, no vehicles were crossing into Zambia, and only security personnel were being allowed to move along the streets.
Residents had been urged to remain indoors, with public gatherings banned.
“Stray bullets have also caused property damage. On Friday alone, one hit a house in Katozi Village, and another struck a ZESCO power transformer,” Sikapizye said, adding that no further injuries were reported.
He cautioned residents to stay at home as the tense situation continued, particularly in the Nakonde–Tunduma border zone — a major corridor for trade and daily transit between the two countries.
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