Claim Being Checked
On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, Lunte Constituency Member of Parliament, Mutotwe Kafwaya, claimed during a parliamentary debate that a bag of charcoal in Bauleni, Lusaka, costs K750 (USD $26.49 as of March 6, 2025). However, the Deputy Speaker questioned the accuracy of his statement, urging him to either retract or clarify by simply stating that charcoal prices are high.
Verification
A physical verification at a market in Bauleni revealed that charcoal prices vary depending on the size and what sellers refer to as the brand, with prices ranging between K200 and K800. Dikoding Deception also contacted a seller at Mtendere Market, who stated that charcoal prices there range from K450 to K550 for a 50kg bag and from K850 to K900 for a Green Label 90kg bag, which is available at Kalingalinga Market.
Conclusion
Accorcing to the Member of Parliament for Lunte Constituency, the high price of charcoal reflects the high cost of living in Zambia and the impact caused by load shedding therfore affecting the lives of ordinary citizens. Athough he did not specifiy the size of the bag of charcoal selling at K750, our verification concludes that it’s true there is charcoal selling at K750.
Verdict
True.
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