UPND won’t win August 13 polls – M’membe

 By MUBITA KATETE 

 THE United Party for National Development (UPND) is resorting to political violence and hooliganism because it is headed for heavy defeat in the August 13 general elections, Dr Fred M’membe has said.

Speaking on Prime TV’s Matters programme, Dr. M’membe, the leader of the Socialist Party (SP) claimed that UPND cadres violently disrupted a Socialist Party campaign rally in Lusaka’s Kanyama Township on Saturday, leaving party officials injured and forcing police to fire warning shots to restore order.

“Violence is not a political tool for winning elections. Zambians abhor violence and there is no political doctrine that justifies such barbaric behavior,” Dr. M’membe said.

He said  three buses, some branded in UPND colours, transported cadres who descended on the rally shortly before it began and caused chaos.

“It was not a clash. It was organised violence. They had no right to be there. Buses were mobilised and hired for them to come and do what they did,” he said.

Dr. M’membe said those involved in the violence would face prosecution after the elections, insisting the ruling party was on course for defeat.

“Those cadres involved in this violence should know that their days are numbered. The UPND is losing this election and that is why they are turning to violence,” he said.

Asked whether he was certain about the ruling party’s defeat, Dr. M’membe responded: “Yes, they are losing unless they rig.”

He  accused UPND of repeatedly attacking Socialist Party members during by-elections over the last five years while law enforcement allegedly failed to take action.

Dr. M’membe also revealed that a mobile phone belonging to Socialist Party parliamentary candidate for Kanyama, Harriet Bwalya Mulenga Katanekwa, was stolen during the incident.

Ends.