MMD cadres attack HH

MMD cadres attack HH
By Lambwe Kachali and Mutuna Chanda
Thursday February 21, 2008 [03:00]

UPND president Hakainde Hichilema on Tuesday escaped unhurt after an attack by scores of MMD cadres with pangas and machetes during campaigns for the Kanyama parliamentary election in John Laing compound. And home affairs minister Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha has warned members of parliament that they would not plead immunity from prosecution once they were arrested in acts of violence during campaigns for the Kanyama constituency parliamentary by election scheduled to take place today.

UPND deputy chairman for elections Sibote Sibote and several cadres were severely injured.

Hichilema described the MMD as a party full of thugs and criminals who were after his life because of his popularity in the country. However, Hichilema said he was not scared of the MMD because they had now felt his pressure on the ground. He said people were tired of being ruled by a violent political party, which did not respect the law.

As Hichilema was conducting door-to-door campaigns, canter trucks full of MMD cadres surrounded his campaign team. Before the MMD cadres descended, the cadres who have nick named themselves as 'Euros' were heard saying, “we are good fighters so boss you should be buying us more beer.”

But Hichilema was whisked away amid fighting in which several people sustained injuries. Hichilema said his campaign team managed to catch one MMD cadre who was taken to the police.

Several UPND vehicles were damaged. And Sibote, whose clothes were torn apart, expressed disappointment at the continued violent attacks by MMD cadres. He said he lost K4.7 million during the attack.

And another victim, Gertrude Siatula, said she had sustained serious deep cuts in the shoulders and ribs where a cadre hit her with a machete. And commenting on Vice-President Banda who said that UPND had failed to sort out the issue of tribalism, Hichilema said he had a lot of respect for him.

He said as far as UPND was concerned, there was no tribalism and that those talking about it were the tribalists. Hichilema advised Vice-President Banda to concentrate on his government, which he said had lost grip.

"I think Banda has stopped thinking well. I know it's because of his old age. In fact, Banda should rest because if he continues to be stressing himself in political campaigns, he might face serious health problems," Hichilema said. He said Vice-President Banda should be reminded that Dr Kenneth Kaunda declared Zambia as one nation for one people.

And Lt Gen Shikapwasha on Tuesday appealed to members of parliament to lead in the preservation of peace in the country, especially during elections.

"We saw that in Chingola during the Nchanga by elections where MPs were in the forefront of agitating violence," Lt Gen Shikapwasha said.

"I have just received a report that Honourable Peter Daka's vehicle has been damaged and the windows have been broken in Kanyama. It is not correct for members of parliament to be leading cadres of violent youths. Like last week, my deputy minister was attacked by youths and some members of parliament were there."

He said the situation in Kanyama had deteriorated to such levels that it had become premeditated violence.

"The situation in Kanyama is endangering the peace of Kanyama, the city and the nation," said Lt Gen Shikapwasha. "I urge MPs from MMD, PF and UPND to preserve peace. We have only one country. We are not going to allow people to break houses and tell people to vote for you. I want to warn that when MPs are arrested, the law will take its course. People in Kanyama want free and fair elections. To all the parties that are offering money in Kanyama whether they are MMD, PF or UPND, we are planting a bad seed and we'll end up like Kenya."