Maravi

Banda justifies MMD’s attack of PF conference

Banda justifies MMD’s attack of PF conference
By Ernest Chanda
Mon 21 Mar. 2011, 04:01 CAT

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda says the MMD cadres were provoked when they physically attacked Patriotic Front delegates at Garden House Hotel in Lusaka.

Responding to questions from journalists after he attended the installation of Anglican Bishop Albert Chama as Archbishop of the Church of the province of Central Africa at Lusaka's Cathedral of the Holy Cross yesterday, President Banda said the PF delegates tried to pull down an MMD flag.

President Banda, who earlier on had pleaded with journalists to just ask him about religious issues, accommodated the political question and said he regretted the incident.

“I hear they PF delegates…before their conference, they wanted to pull down a flag for the others MMD. But how do you pull down a flag? Why can't we live side by side? But I'm very sorry about that.”

“Yes, I heard and I'm very sorry about that. I hear they PF were having their provincial conference. We don't want this kind of thing.”

The MMD cadres who were armed with machetes and slashers had earlier on pitched a tent about 80 metres away from the Hotel where PF was holding its provincial conference in an apparent bid to disrupt the conference and at some point even blocked the main road to block PF leader Michael Sata from attending the party conference.

They also hung a big banner reading '2011 RB FOR PRESIDENT'; with the aim of provoking the opposition supporters.

Other cadres put up stands at Munjili market opposite Garden House Hotel and disguised themselves as traders but later started throwing stones and injured a number of delegates before a fight ensued with PF cadres who tried to defend themselves.

PF had complained that police did not help them against the violence at the hands of MMD cadres.
And President Banda asked for prayers from the clergy across the country, saying the Church was the custodian of peace.

“They should continue to pray for us. We are all their children and we need their blessings. It is this church that solved our problems in 1991,” said President Banda.

Archbishop Chama becomes the first Zambian to be appointed Archbishop of the Church of the province of Central Africa, taking over from Archbishop Bernard Malango of Malawi.

Labels: CADRES, MMD, POLITICAL VIOLENCE, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 5:23 AM