UPND cadres intercept ECZ trucks on suspicion of foul play

United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres on Sunday July 31, 2016 impounded eight trucks which they suspected was carrying pre-marked ballot papers sneaked in via Katima Mulilo border.

It is alleged that the cadres were were alerted about the trucks by ZRA officials who suspected foul play because the trucks did not go through the border scanning process.

The trucks were later driven to ZRA Livingstone where a search was conducted. The search revealed that the trucks were empty and had no ballot papers as alleged by the cadres.

And the Zambia police service says the eight ECZ trucks are part of a new trucks consignment  which the commission has ordered from South Africa to be used in ferrying election materials.

Deputy Spokesperson for police Esther Katongo says some UPND cadres became suspicious when the trucks reached Sesheke and demanded to check what was inside.

She says after checking through, the cadres discovered that there was nothing in the containers.

“The trucks proceeded and when they reached Livingstone, UPND cadres in Livingstone begun protesting, burning tyres on roads demanding that
the trucks be opened,” Mwaata says. “ECZ has allowed that trucks to be opened to enable those suspicious to check what is inside and when
some of the trucks were opened, they did not find
anything inside but empty containers.”

She says to this effect, ECZ has allowed those who would want to accompany the trucks to Lusaka to do so in the spirit of eliminating suspicions.

Katongo has however urged all political parties to remain calm and always follow procedures in instances where they have doubt and avoid causing anarchy over speculations.