Wusakile residents condemn UPND violence

By ROGERS KALERO

MOST stakeholders in Wusakile Constituency of Kitwe have condemned the increasing incidents of political violence reportedly being perpetrated by the ruling UPND cadres who seem to be at liberty to break the law and get away with it because they belong to the ruling party

The stakeholders, who include some Wusakile residents, have also condemned the failure by both the Zambia Police Service (ZPS) and the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to take appropriate action against those involved in electoral violence ahead of the August 13 elections

The residents in Chibote Ward were reacting to an incident where suspected UPND cadres on Tuesday afternoon attacked members of the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) at Fire By Fire Church before smashing windscreens of the two vehicles, among them a white Ford Ranger registration number ALD 9248

Some of the residents who witnessed the attack said the conduct of the suspected UPND cadres was not only barbaric, but also damaging the image of their party.

Christine Bwalya, Jessy Tembo, Frank Masuwa and Ivy Chimfwembe said the conduct of the UPND cadres was bringing out the true character of the ruling party, adding that the silence of its leadership was a clear indication that it was in support of the violence being perpetrated by their cadres

“For some time now, the UPND cadres have been involved in violence, but no one including President Hakainde Hichilema have condemned the violence by their cadres, and let alone, allow the law take its course. This is sending a bad signal that the ruling party is supporting caderism

“To make matters worse, both the Police and ECZ have failed to take appropriate action against those involved in electoral violence ahead of the August 13 elections. We have seen selective enforcement of the law under the UPND, but it is a matter of time,’’ said Maggie Chota

And former UPND Kitwe mayoral aspirant and community activist Nicholas Mwansa has also condemned the disturbing trend of violent political cadres destroying churches, insulting and assaulting pastors in communities           

Mr Mwansa said it was sad and disappointing that instead of building churches, some political party cadres were damaging them and insulting Pastors who own run the churches.