Suspected PF cadres attack UPND cadres in Kitwe

Suspected Patriotic Front (PF) cadres this morning invaded the United Party for National Development (UPND) regional offices in Kitwe attacking UPND members who were waiting to be addressed by their national leaders led party leader Hakainde Hichilema.
UPND Spokesperson Charles Kakoma in a statement says the suspected PF cadres attacked the UPND members using pangas, axes, stones and other offensive weapons.
Mr Kakoma says a number of UPND members, including elderly women were brutally beaten and suffered injuries and were rushed to the hospital.
He says this attack happened in full view of Zambia Police officers who he says instead of arresting the perpetrators of violence fired teargas into the UPND offices.
Mr Kakoma says the suspected PF cadres were being ferried in trucks belonging to a well-known PF leader, known as Chile 1.

Meanwhile Mr Kakoma has condemned Police for tear gassing Luanshya residents who had turned up to see UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema this afternoon.
He says Zambians have the rights to freely associate, assemble, move and speak as guaranteed by the Republican Constitution.
Mr Kakoma says any interference with the enjoyment of these freedoms is a violation of the Constitution.
He states that it is a highly dangerous route of political violence that the PF has embarked on which can easily lead to anarchy and political instability.
Mr. Kakoma says it is not the fault of the UPND and its leader that the Zambian people are fed-up with the purported failed leadership of the PF.

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