FACT CHECK | Two claims by Charles Chanda checked

By MakanDay Reporter

During the launch of President Hakainde Hichilema’s official campaign on Sunday, 28 June, ahead of the 13 August general election, United Prosperous and Peaceful Zambia (UPPZ) president Charles Chanda made two claims in a statement that has since circulated widely on social media. He claimed that:

1. Zambia produced about 70,000 kilogrammes of emeralds in 2017, worth enough to finance the country’s national budget for about 26 years.
2. He suspended his 2026 presidential campaign because President Hakainde Hichilema deserved another five years in office.

MakanDay checked the facts.

Claim 1: Zambia produced about 70,000kg of emeralds in 2017

The facts

Official production data does not support this claim.

The 2017 annual report of the Zambia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (ZEITI) records Zambia’s production as 60,063 kilogrammes of emerald and beryl combined, not 70,000 kilogrammes of emeralds alone.

The 2016 ZEITI Annual Report records 71,878.66 kilogrammes of emerald and beryl, a figure much closer to the 70,000 kilogrammes cited by Chanda.

Importantly, neither report records production of emeralds alone. Instead, both classify production as “emerald and beryl”.

This distinction matters.

Beryl is a mineral species that includes several gemstones, one of which is emerald. Official production statistics therefore combine emerald with other forms of beryl, meaning it is inaccurate to describe the entire recorded production as emeralds.

Furthermore, production volume alone cannot be used to estimate market value. The commercial value of emeralds depends on factors such as gemstone quality, colour, clarity, size, recovery rates and international market prices. The official data does not support the conclusion that Zambia produced emeralds worth enough to finance the national budget for decades.

Verdict: Mostly False.

Official records show Zambia produced 60,063kg of emerald and beryl combined in 2017—not 70,000kg of emeralds. The figure cited by Chanda more closely resembles 2016 production data and incorrectly treats all recorded beryl as emerald.

Claim 2: Charles Chanda voluntarily suspended his presidential bid

The facts: Available evidence shows Chanda did not voluntarily withdraw from the 2026 presidential race.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) rejected his nomination after determining that he did not meet constitutional eligibility requirements.

Announcing the commission’s decision, ECZ Chairperson Mwangala Zaloumis said Chanda had been disqualified under Article 100 of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2016, together with Regulations 11 and 18 of the Electoral Process (General) Regulations.

According to the commission, the Office of the Official Receiver wrote to ECZ on 22 April 2026 enclosing a court judgment showing that Chanda had an undischarged bankruptcy.

ECZ also found that the adoption certificate submitted with his nomination papers did not bear the name of the party’s secretary general as required, rendering the document defective.

The commission therefore rejected his nomination.

Publicly available ECZ proceedings announcing the decision confirm that Chanda’s candidature was rejected before the election campaign.

Verdict: False.

The available evidence shows Chanda did not voluntarily suspend his presidential campaign. His nomination was rejected by the Electoral Commission of Zambia after it found that he did not meet constitutional and regulatory requirements.