Nakonde border has been closed

Nakonde border in Muchinga Province has been temporarily closed following the confusion that has erupted at Tunduma in Tanzania where police have been fighting running battles with the residents since morning.

Supporters of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) and the opposition Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema) have been fighting running battles with the police since 9:00 hours this morning over a disputed piece of land.

Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Bright Nundwe has confirmed the development in an interview with ZANIS in Chinsali today.

Mr. Nundwe said police officers at Nakonde border have been put on high alert to ensure that the confusion does not spread to Zambia.

Mr. Nundwe said Tanzanian authorities closed the border on their side this morning following the political violence.

The Permanent Secretary said the flow of traffic into Zambia has been affected adding that fuel tankers carrying fuel to Zambia will however be given first priority to cross once calm has returns.

Mr. Nundwe appealed to all the Zambians to be calm as there is peace on the Zambian side and that security has been tightened.

Sources from Tanzania have disclosed that it is believed that an opposition political party plans to build a big hospital at the border town and the government also plans to build a hospital on the same piece of land.

Scores of cross border traders are stranded with some of them failing to buy merchandise as most of the shops at Tunduma have been closed for fear of being looted.