Chilanga Violence worries UPPZ’s Kope

Lusaka (05-06-18) UNITED Prosperous Peaceful Zambia (UPPZ) Parliamentary Candidate for Chilanga Constituency Francis Mwamba Kope has asked the Zambia Police Service to take charge and control pockets of electoral violence reported in some wards and polling station in the ongoing voting to replace the incarcerated United Party for National Development (UPND) lawmaker, Keith Mukata who was convinced for murdering his security guard.

Mr. Kope said in an interview that some of his polling agents have gone into hiding after they were attacked by suspected armed cadres from the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) at GRZ and Chilongolo Polling Stations, respectively this morning.
While confident of winning the vacant Chilanga parliamentary seat, Kope expressed fear that his votes will vulnerable to manipulation by parties that want to win the seat at all cost.
“It is for this reason I want the police to move in and control the situation in areas where there is violence which has led my agents to flee the polling station for fear of their lives.”
Six UPPZ have taken refugees in Chilanga at a named house after they were orders to leave the polling station by armed cadres from the ruling PF that came to look for their rivals from the opposition UPND.

A named agent who spoken on conditions of anonymity said she and her friends were caught in the fight that ensured between the rival armed cadres from the ruling PF and the opposition UPND at GRZ polling station.
After the fight, some armed cadres from the PF ordered us to leave the polling station or face the full consequences of disobedience.”
She added that when they tried to resist one of them was dragged and beaten mercilessly.
It was then that we fled for safety to one of the well wishers  who allowed us to take refugee in his house.
Another male UPPZ polling agents who was stationed at Chilongolo said he left the polling station after they they were attacked along with the UPND supporters.
“The situation was unbearable at Chilongolo polling station in the morning when the supporters of the UPND supporters were fighting for ownership of the Constituency.”
At Nazarene Polling Station, Patriotic Front Cadres beat up one person in full view of a named minister .
The victim is alleged to been beat after he refused to exchange money for his voter’s cadres.
The injured person whose name is yet to be identified has been rushed to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) for medical attention.
Meanwhile, Governance, Elections, Advocacy, Research Services (GEARS) Initiative, director Peter Green
Mwanangombe said in an interview that the ferried thugs are blocking people from voting at Munda Wanga Polling Station in Chilanga Ward.
Mr. Mwanagombe has noted with regret that some named officials from the ruling PF are ferrying cadres causing confusion in Chilanga where the election is underway.
“These alleged thugs are also making the job of the police officers difficult as they are reportedly intimidating the police.”
He added that as soon as the vehicle carrying suspected PF cadres drove to the entrance of Mundawanga polling station they started asking people who they want they are voting for and are warning people that if Maria Langa losses, hell will break loose in Chilanga.”
And Police spokesperson Esther Katongo has confirmed the presence of violence in selected parts of Chilanga constituency.
Ms. Katongo told journalists that the police had received a report that people who were going to vote at a School in Kalundu were being waylaid by some suspected political cadres.
She said there also a fierce fight between supporters of the ruling PF and opposition UPND.
“One person has been injured and rushed to Kanyama First level hospital, later referred to UTH due to head injuries.”
She said officers have been deployed to the area and order has been restored.
She ordered that investigations have been instituted to bring to establish the cause of the violence and perpetrators will be brought to book.
She confirmed that in Mundawanga, some UPND and PF Officials have imported cadres and resulted in commotion.
Ms. Katongo urged all political players to keep the peace and avoid acts that may bring confusion before, during and after the Tuesday 5th June 2018 Chilanga bye elections.