Mob of unruly Lusaka youth attack Chipimo on Cairo Road

SOME youths in Lusaka on July 22nd harassed National Restoration Party (NAREP) leader Elias Chipimo and other senior party officials on Cairo Road.

Mr Chipimo’s head of administration and presidential assistant David Kapoma confirmed the incident in an interview on July 22nd and described the action as retrogressive.

He said some youths he suspected to be from the Patriotic Front (PF) intercepted and harassed Mr Chipimo and his officials who included party national chairperson Joseph Mushalika, national secretary Jarvin Kamanga, and youth secretary Bwalya Nondo.

Mr Kapoma said Mr Chipimo and other officials had gone to Lusaka’s Downtown shopping mall and on his way back decided to take a walk on Cairo Road when suddenly they were accosted by a mob of unruly youths.

The youth blocked them around 11:00 hours and started hurling insults at them as they shoved them around.

“What we are witnessing now is an indication that we are going backwards in terms of democracy as our freedom of movement is being curtailed.

“We call on law enforcers to ensure that they do their work and protect innocent citizens,” he said.

He said upon seeing Mr Chipimo and his party officials the youth mobilised themselves and manhandled him but was in the confusion whisked away by his driver.

Mr Kapoma said the youth descended on Mr Kamanga and Mr Nondo who he said were beaten until some onlookers came to their rescue.

“As we speak, I can confirm that the duo is still receiving treatment at the University Teaching Hospital where we dropped them because they have been severely beaten,” he said.

He said the matter had since been reported to Lusaka Central Police.

Police deputy spokesperson Charity Chanda and Lusaka Province commissioner Joyce Kasosa said they had not yet received any report on the matter.