Police attempted to disperse our rally – Mundubile

ZAMBIA has essentially become a police state in which the citizens and opposition political leaders are getting harassed, intimidated and provoked at the whims and caprices of President Hakainde Hichilema, Brian Mundubile has charged.

Mr Mundubile, who is on a marathon campaign trail along with his running mate Makebi Zulu says a battalion of police officers invaded their rally while addressing the people with the aim of stopping the public meeting.

Mr Mundubile, the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) presidential candidate while the UPND had denied him and his running mate flying rights, the police had been unleashed on his team in an attempt to frustrate their campaign trail.

He stated that it was shocking that the State police were blocking their roadshows even after the government had denied them flying rights.

“What we are experiencing on the Copperbelt is police harassment. Roadshows are part of the campaigns and we have the right how we would want to engage with the people. But they (police) and the UPND government are saying no roadshows yet they have denied us flying rights. So we are forced to drive through and people are following us. But now the police want to direct us how we should conduct our campaigns. Zambia has essentially become a police state …they can violate the rights of citizens in any way they want,” Mr Mundubile said.

Mr Mundubile explained that the police officers have been mobilized and were following them everywhere on the Copperbelt including setting up roadblocks to prevent the members of the NRPUP from going to the venue of their public rallies.

He said the intimidation and harassment being perpetrated by the police were meant to provoke them so that the officers could have the reason teargas the crowds and arrest some people, including leaders.

“They (Police) came to our rally and forced their way onto the podium to stop us from interacting with the people. But the people remained calm…they remained resolute. The idea was to intimidate and stop us from addressing the people. They wanted to provoke us but the people stayed on…eager to listen to our messages of hope. We have had 45 rallies so far without any incident. We are determined to restore the rights and freedoms of Zambians,” Mr Mundubile said.