PF cadre assaulted in Mpongwe

PF cadre assaulted in Mpongwe

Ndola, February 21, ZANIS —–A Patriotic Front cadre in Mpongwe has been assaulted by suspected United Party for National Development supporters living him with a deep cut on his head.

Copperbelt Province Police Commissioner Mary Tembo confirmed the development to ZANIS in a telephone interview today.

Ms Tembo said police in Mpongwe yesterday recorded a case where the PF supporter was pounced on by UPND cadres and beaten severely.

Ms Tembo however said police were just finalizing report before investigations are launched in to the matter.

She said once police in the area are through, a detailed report would be availed to members of the public.

But an eye witness Jeff Chilufya in a separate interview told ZANIS that the incidence happened as four PF supporters were walking on the main road near a venue where UPND was a holding public meeting.

Mr Chilufya said the PF cadres raised the PF symbol as they walked along the road, a situation which enraged the UPND cadres and did not hesitate to pounce on them.

Mr. Chilufya said the angry UPND cadres beat one of the PF cadres living with a deep cut on his head and swollen body as the three others escaped.

He said it was at this point members of public got wind of it and intervened and rushed to the police to report.

Meanwhile Ms Tembo has dispelled accusations from opposition political parties that police in Mpongwe were not handling their complaints fairly.

She said this was not true as police had procedures of handling cases and those that have reported such cases have been assisted.

Ms Tembo said it was the responsibility of police to ensure that peace and order is maintained in the area.

She challenged the opposition to point out a case where her officers have not handled fairly and failed to intervene.

Ms Tembo also disclosed that police have since reinforced the number of officers’ presence in Mpongwe adding that officers will be deployed throughout the district so as to maintain law and order.

Ms Tembo said the police station in Mpongwe had no enough manpower to handle the by election hence her office felt it prudent to increase police presence in the area.

She said this is also meant to curb disorder that may arise as some people might want to take advantage of the by election and start carrying out criminal activities.