One Man Killed In Failed UPND Rally
ONE PERSON has died with others injured during the UPND fracas in a bid to hold a rally in Lusaka’s Kanyama compound.
Police spokesperson Esther Mwata Katongo said in a media statement that police has received a report of murder in which Stephen Kalipa aged 20 years is reported to have been stabbed with a knife by an unknown person suspected to have been among UPND cadres.
“This happened today April 2, 2017 at about 12:00 hours at Mbasela Market after police dispersed the group that had an unlawful procession.
“The victim who was rushed to University Teaching Hospital was pronounced dead upon arrival”, Mrs Katongo said .
She said police has since instituted investigations in the matter.
Mrs Katongo said police also received another report in which Bertha Zuze aged 21 also of Kanyama compound was assaulted by suspected UPND cadres at about 13:00 hours today and a plank is alleged to have been used.
She warned all unruly cadres that police will not watch them harming innocent citizens but see to it that all those behind these crimes are brought to book.
Mrs Katongo however dispelled reports circulating on Social media indicating that police have brutalised Kanyama residents and have arrested 300 people over UPND rally.
She said the truth of the matter is that only two unruly cadres have been apprehended for taking part in an unlawful procession.
“We did deploy our officers in the area to monitor the situation which we can confirm to have been calm except for a group of about 100 suspected UPND cadres who wanted to dare the deployed police officers by conducting an unlawful procession in Kanyama proceeding to Twashuka Ground,” she said.
Mrs Katongo said police approached the cadres who scampered in all directions and police managed to apprehend two who are yet to be charged.
She said one of the arrested is identified as Innocent Kalimashi.
She urged Kanyama resident to remain calm as police officers will continue patrolling the area to ensure that their security is provided.