One die, Several UPND Cadres injured in Lusaka gunfire

One person is reported dead while several supporters of the opposition UPND have been severely injured when Police fired at them in Lusaka Friday afternoon.

Policused teargases canisters and live bullets to disperse huge crowds of UPND cadres who attempted to march to a rally in Chawama which Police had cancelled earlier. Traffic came to a standstill and some shops closed.

Earlier the UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema announced the cancellation of the rally in a statement.

“We deeply regret that we will not be able to address the people in Chawama today, or in Kanyama this weekend. During the campaign period political parties have the right to deliver their message and manifesto to the people, and our people have the right to hear those messages. If President Edgar Lungu does not want to campaign or has little to say that is not for UPND to worry about,” Hichilema said.

However defiant cadre trooped from all areas in Lusaka and headed towards Chawama. But police intercepted the cadres by Kamwala’s Downtown and allegedly started firing live gun shots and teargas canisters.

Pedestrians along Kafue Road scampered in all directions as motorist caused congestion in all roads around town and surrounding areas.

Banks, Shops in the capital’s central district closed as the city almost became a war zone.

By press time, calm has returned in town.