Police confirm Yuyi Mwala’s arrest, charge former Copperbelt police boss in US$448,596 copper caseWhat began as widespread speculation following the abrupt transfer of former Copperbelt Province Police Commissioner Yuyi Mwala has now been officially confirmed by the Zambia Police Service. Besides Mwala, those arrested are police officers Patrick Muti and Boniface Nchimunya, Clerk of Court Obrian Chipunza, Magistrate Edward Banda, and businessman Daniel Makina. Mwala’s tenure on the Copperbelt was marked by repeated confrontations with opposition political parties, particularly during the 2026 general election campaign. Opposition leaders frequently accused police under his command of selectively enforcing the law, frustrating opposition campaign activities and failing to act decisively against perpetrators of political violence. Another flashpoint came in Ndola’s Twapia Township, where police arrested several opposition supporters after what authorities described as an unauthorised procession.