‘Untouchable’ UPND cadre shoots 2, arrested

‘Untouchable’ UPND cadre shoots 2, arrested

By Mast Reporter

RESIDENTS of Chipata City in Eastern Province have described Esau Mbazima, United Party for National Development (UPND) provincial head of security, as an untouchable man who has been terrorising critics of the current government with a gun.

Police in Chipata have arrested the notorious cadre for shooting and wounding two people at Kapata Market on Sunday.

Sources at the market have described Mbazima, 48, the head of the UPND’s security wing in Eastern Province, as an untouchable political zealot who has been threatening people complaining about the high cost of living under the current government.

The sources yesterday described in separate interviews with The Mast how Mbazima had been going round openly boasting that he was ready to shoot anyone criticising President Hakainde Hichilema and the UPND government.

“Otuyofya ngatakamba pali boma ofunalini kushusha boma. Ofunalini kuti bantu bakokamba pa zocita boma [he has been threatening us every time we complain about the government]. Mbazima last week eyofya muntu muyakene po dandaula kamba kodula vintu. Akamba kuti amangise bantu bonse bondandaula, [he is threatening us, he doesn’t want people to criticise the government, he doesn’t want anyone to talk about this government. Last week he threatened someone with arrest],” one source said.

Another source, a trader with a stall in the market who asked to remain anonymous for fear of victimisation by UPND cadres, said ruling party cadres in the district were in the habit of threatening people with guns for complaining about hardships.

“Mbazima moves with a gun and police know that. He threatens anyone who criticises the UPND. The last time we witnessed this was at the Lay-by near the ‘Welcome’ where he told people to leave or he would shoot them or take them to the police if they were luck. This has been happening for some time now and police here have this information but they have been shielding him because of his position and connections at State House,” the source said.

The source said Mbazima was untouchable in Eastern Province as he had connections at State House and that police could not do anything if he committed a crime.

Eastern Province commissioner of police Robertson Mweemba identified the shooting victims as Ellamsdeal Tembo, 26, of Kapata area and a 15-year-old girl.

Mweemba said Mbazima was intercepted and apprehended at Mnoro Security Check Point on the Lundazi Road as he was running away.

He said Mbazima pulled out his gun after he was confronted by Rodgers Chulu for dangerous driving.

“The suspect then drove off and the two victims were then rushed to Chipata Central Hospital by on-lookers,” Mweemba said.

“He was driving a motor vehicle Toyota Premio… The vehicle was impounded and searched. The police officers recovered a fire arm, pistol, with some rounds of ammunition. The suspect has since been detained in police custody for two counts of the offence of Acts intended to cause grievous harm contrary to section 224 [a] of the penal code Chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia. The recovered fire arm has been kept as an exhibit pending ballistic examination while the premio motor vehicle has been impounded and parked at the police station pending further investigations,” Mweemba said.