By ALICE NACHILEMBE
Police have apprehended seven suspected UPND cadres in Nakonde for riotous behavior after three other cadres were arrested for assaulting PF cadres.
Police Spokesperson Esther Katongo said the three suspects were detained in custody and this prompted other UPND cadres to storm the Police Station in an attempt to forcefully rescue their colleagues (suspects) in police detention.
Ms Katongo said at this point, some PF cadres were still at the Front Office of the police station as they had escorted the victims of the Assault.
She said it began when some PF cadres reported three assault cases alleged to have occurred at Ikumbi Taxi Rank, near Customs Yard that they were assaulted by suspected UPND Cadres.
The Police were reacting to a video circulating on social media depicting a man with head injuries.
Ms Katongo said the unruly mob of UPND Cadres armed with Catapults, stones and sticks stormed the police front office and attacked Police Officers, in the process of dispersing this unruly crowd, two police officers sustained injuries.
She said a Toyota Vitz unregistered which was parked at the Police Station, property of one of the police officers was damaged, and a stone was used in the act.
Ms Katongo said during the fracas, the PF Cadres who were at the police station sort refugee within the buildings of the Police Station whilst their opponents were throwing stones using catapults.
“The one being depicted in the video with head injuries identified as Misheck Kabwe 34, of Ntindi village in Nakonde also Provincial UPND Youth Chairman was attempting to stop his fellow UPND members from perpetuating their misconduct and was in the process injured. He sustained a deep cut at the back of the head and on the left eye, the circumstance under which he was injured has not yet been established, “he said.
She has warned political cadres to desist from attacking police officers and taking their politics to police stations as that will not be taken lightly.
Ms Katongo said anyone that will disregard the provisions of the law shall be dealt with accordingly.
The suspected UPND Cadres are identified as Handson Muleya 32, Morris Sinyinza 31, Mpundu Emmanuel 25, Siame Kenneth 38, Griffin Muchindu 34, Francis Sikazwe 29 and Bernard Simwinga 30 were apprehended and detained for discreditable Conduct at a Police Station while three (3) other UPND Cadres identified as Jackson Chomba, the aspiring candidate for Ikumbi Ward Councillor, Aaron Sichimata and Adam Chimfwembe are detained for Assault.
