UPND cadres brutalise CF campaigners
By Tony Nkhoma
VIOLENCE has erupted in the Chibulula Ward in Mpulungu Constituency in Northern Province ahead of today’s by-election.
United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres yesterday attacked Citizen’s First (CF) party members in full view of Northern Province Minister Leonard Mbao.
CF president Harry Kalaba, who is in Mpulungu, told The Mast the violence had been caused by the UPND was regrettable.
Kalaba said the UPND cadres trailed his team from Mbete to Akapoko where they hurled stones and sticks at them in full view of Mbao.
“UPND had also established a meeting, and the provincial minister was even there. These people had been trailing us from the time that we started our campaigns, and even their coming to Mbete and Akapoko, where they established their meeting, was to attack us,” he said.
Kalaba said his supporters were pelted with stones, sticks and other offensive objects by the UPND cadres in a quest to dissuade them from holding their rallies.
He said he confronted Mbao and asked him to be responsible.
“I came out to confront the minister, and asked him to be responsible and take care of his people because the ones who were getting injured were ordinary people, you know, of Mpulungu,” Kalaba said.
He said there was no need for Mbao to watch his cadres attacking innocent and ordinary citizens.
“But no, it’s like he was not even hearing what I was saying. So people were scampering from everywhere. I mean it was really bad,” Kalaba said.
He said some people were injured while some were falling over each other saying it was something he regretted seeing.
“I don’t think that’s something I want to see. That is barbarism. It is barbaric. It is inhuman behaviour, and it is only behaviour fit for the animal kingdom,” Kalaba said.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has set today as the date for the Chibulula Ward by-election in Mpulungu Constituency.
