11 arrested at National Heroes Stadium after false cash giveaway post

LUSAKA, October 11, 2026. Police arrested 11 people at National Heroes Stadium on Friday, October 9, after a large crowd gathered over a false claim that money would be given out. Police spokesperson Godfrey Chilabi said Matero Police Station received a report at about 07:30 hours that a large crowd had gathered at Gate One. He said officers advised people to leave peacefully. When some did not comply, officers dispersed the crowd and arrested 11 people for unlawful assembly. Police say the crowd was drawn by a deceptive post from an online commentator who claimed money would be distributed at the stadium. They did not name him. News Diggers! reports that the post came from former Petauke Central MP Emmanuel Jay Banda, who had run a “Miracle Friday” giveaway. It says people expected money from what he described as a US$6 million fund. His response is not in the reports I found. The Zambian Observer says police fired tear gas. Police have not confirmed that in the statements I saw. Police said the stadium was calm later in the day and urged the public to check posts promising money before acting on them. The 11 have not been convicted of anything.