Suspected PF cadres stone Rupiah’s in-laws’ house

Suspected PF cadres stone Rupiah’s in-laws’ house
Written by Mwila Chansa and Zumani Katasefa in Kitwe
Monday, November 03, 2008 10:35:57 PM

SOME suspected Patriotic Front (PF) cadres on Saturday night reportedly threw stones at the house of President Rupiah Banda's in-laws in Kitwe's Chimwemwe Township. And another set of PF cadres on the same evening stoned cars near Wusakile roundabout and chanted 'we want change' slogans.

Police sources told The Post yesterday that the cadres threw stones at house number 8262/1 in Chimwemwe Township. Some people residing in the neighbourhood of President Banda's relatives said PF cadres were incensed after they heard the President's in-laws celebrating his victory.

They said upon realising that President Banda was headed for victory, his relatives began to celebrate much to the annoyance of PF supporters who claimed rigging in the polls.

They said the victim and owner of the house, a Lumbani Chilongo, has since launched a complaint at Mindolo Police Station over the incident.

And police officers kept vigil in Wusakile township yesterday after managing to quell a mini-riot that erupted in the same area on Saturday night.

Police sources explained that a group of youths bieseiged Wusakile roundabout and started throwing stones and chanting 'we want change' slogans, as their expression of displeasure at President Banda's victory over PF leader Michael Sata.

And the mood in Kitwe was generally sombre with most people expressing unhappiness over the outcome of the elections.

And about five police officers on Saturday evening stormed Radio Icengelo after receiving complaints from some MMD supporters who were unhappy with the way the station manager, Fr Frank Bwalya was announcing election results.

The officers cautioned and advised Fr Bwalya to stop making such announcements as he was likely to incite people to rise against the government.