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MMD cadres attack Sata’s convoy at Solwezi Airport

MMD cadres attack Sata’s convoy at Solwezi Airport
By Mutuna Chanda and Jane Mwakasungula in Solwezi
Sun 15 Nov. 2009, 04:01 CAT

MMD cadres on Friday afternoon attacked a convoy in which PF leader Michael Sata was, smashing the right rear window of a Toyota Mark II at Solwezi Airport.

And United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema on Friday afternoon detained himself at Solwezi Central Police station cells in protest against the unlawful detention of the PF-UPND cadres and the subsequent stoning of Sata.

The MMD cadres were at the airport waiting to see off President Rupiah Banda who was due to return to Lusaka after holding two campaign rallies on Thursday and Friday to woo voters to elect MMD Solwezi Central candidate Albert Chifita.

This incident happened around 15:00 hours us PF officials and supporters were escorting Sata who was due to fly to Lusaka aboard a Pro Flight plane at 15:30 hours.

President Banda according to the programme that was released from the North Western provincial administration was initially scheduled to fly to Lusaka at 13:30 hours but had not left by 15:00 hours.

MMD cadres in the presence of police officers and information deputy minister Elijah Muchima among others charged towards Sata's convoy which drove into Solwezi Airport around 15:00 hours.

The MMD cadres hurled stones and other missiles towards Sata's convoy, which smashed the window of a Toyota Mark II registration number ABM 4895.

The stones also damaged the windscreen of a Nissan Patrol registration number ABH 6553 which was being driven by North Western Province PF political secretary Friday Mulemfwe.

Sata's convoy then quickly drove to a police station that is on the airport road.
Mulemfwe narrated that he and his colleagues did not know that there were MMD cadres at the airport.

“We didn't know that there were MMD cadres at the airport,” he said.

“We just went into the presence of MMD. Before we could realise what was happening, the thugs were on us. Fortunately Mr PF Chimwemwe member of parliament Willie Nsanda was driving one of the vehicles where the president was so he immediately u-turned. They started hurling stones on us and before I could realise also I was just about to park the vehicle next to the helicopter, the government helicopter.

That is how I survived, then later the second in command police told me to use the other route out of the airport."

At the police station, Sata said PF members did not want to fight and wanted President Banda to take off peacefully.

Sata told the police officers at the police that PF members did not want to cause a stir at the airport.

"We didn't want to show them because if we would have remained there, they would have been excited but the President belongs to the Republic of Zambia. He doesn't belong to the MMD and those people they cannot be creating problems in the airport where there are aircrafts because when the riot starts, those aircrafts were going to be damaged," Sata said.

"It's most unfortunate... tell our brothers they don't know what they are doing. What we need to do is to campaign with the words. Let's convince the people."

After President Banda left, the MMD cadres left the airport leaving only police officers.

Later Sata went to board his flight.
At the airport, Sata addressed police officers led by North Western Province commanding officer Fabian Katiba who stood behind the group.

Sata thanked the officers for protecting him and his supporters.
After Sata left, police officers waited for the PF group at the police station on airport road.

The officers blocked the PF convoy and requested to search Mulemfwe's vehicle.
They said they had received a complaint that Mulemfwe had brandished two guns at the airport.

The officers searched Mulemfwe and his vehicle but did not find any gun.
They later sought audience with him and some of the PF members and informed them that since they found nothing on him, they could not effect an arrest.

Police sources disclosed that they had been instructed to arrest Mulemfwe for brandishing guns.

The sources said they however could not arrest him since they had not found anything.

The police officers then proceeded with Mulemfwe and the PF group to Solwezi Central police station.

And Hichilema, who arrived at Solwezi police station around 15:00 hours demanded the immediate release of the cadres but was restrained by police officers who needed to seek clearance from Katiba.

It was then that Hichilema demanded audience with Katiba which he was granted and the duo spent over two hours in a meeting.

After the meeting, Hichilema went to the cells and voluntarily stayed there for a few minutes before the release of three cadres.

Hichilema expressed displeasure at the police's conduct of arresting the victims instead of the perpetrators of violence.

"I demand that you the police arrest Muchima and his thugs … Why have you failed to bring Muchima for a warn and caution statement when he is the one who was in the forefront with a foolish Phiri stoning my colleague? Sata doesn't deserve that. He is an honourable man. We know that RB President Rupiah Banda is behind this. He is so desperate for a vote. He is scared of our crowds. Why should he sink so low to send his thugs to stone my partner? Unless you release my boys, I will not come out of here,” vowed Hichilema.

Earlier, the PF and UPND rallies were cancelled by police as President Banda was scheduled to hold two rallies in the area.

Hichilema accused the police of being compromised.

"You have become a branch of the MMD. You have buried your ethics. Why have you refused to allow us hold our rallies? Even my walk around the markets has been delayed because of your unprofessional conduct. You are part of the scheme," Hichilema said.

Hichilema later toured Mesinja and Mitech markets where he was received by excited marketeers.

Labels: CADRES, MMD, SATA

posted by MrK @ 9:52 AM