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UPND Cadres Impounds 8 ECZ trucks on suspicion of carrying rigging materials

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Truck carrying ECZ Material
FILE: Truck carrying ECZ Material that was impounded by UPND cadres during the last election

ALERT United Party for National Development (UPND) supporters in Livingstone this morning impounded and searched eight new Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) trucks which were accompanied by State Police on suspicion that the trucks were carrying materials for rigging elections.

The search, which was conducted by the Police and UPND cadres from morning up to around mid-day at the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) Port Office, revealed that seven trucks were empty while one truck was carrying spares for the rest of the trucks.

At the end of the search, UPND resolved to send a team of officials to accompany the trucks alongside the Police to Lusaka to ensure that nothing was put in them along the way.

Southern Province Commissioner of Police Godwin Phiri said the convoy of trucks started off to Lusaka at12:55 hours and UPND supporters were accompanying the trucks.

Mr Phiri said the outcome of the search had vindicated both ECZ and the Police and warned that all acts of lawlessness would be met with force.

And addressing party supporters after a successful search, UPND Livingstone campaign manager Christopher Syamwenya said his party was satisfied that the trucks were not carrying materials for rigging the elections.

Mr Syamwenya told the cheering UPND supporters to remain alert and vigilant so safeguard the votes.

“We must continue to be vigilant to ensure a free and credible election. We have advised that the trucks should proceed to Lusaka since they don’t have suspicious materials.

“Our party officials will escort these to Lusaka and they will meet other UPND officials in Kafue and Lusaka to beef up the escort team,” he said.

Mr Syamwenya however blamed the Livingstone police for not handling the matter professionally.

“When the trucks arrived in the morning, local residents and UPND supporters rushed to the scene to see what was inside the trucks but the local police responded by firing teargas and shot a boy Owen Mupika.

“This boy was rushed to Livingstone Central Hospital where he was operated and he is still admitted to Hospital,” Mr Syamwenya said.

Some UPND cadres at the scene also claimed that they had a video on alleged the police shooting of the boy.

In his reaction to the claims by UPND, Mr Phiri said the police acted to disperse violent cadres after they were attacking motorists and that one person known as Own Mupika, 34, fell while running away from police and sustained bruises.

Mr Phiri said Mupika was undergoing treatment at Livingstone Central Hospital and he was expected to be discharged.

CHRIS AKUFUNA

Earlier, Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) Spokesperson Chris Akufuna has expressed ignorance over the eight newly bought trucks by the commission being impounded by the opposition UPND supporters in Livingstone, Reports Pan African African Radio Journalist Hermit Hachilonde.

The trucks have caused anxiety in Livingstone town such that some suspected UPND cadres have started protesting.

In a telephone interview, Mr. Akufuna said the eight trucks are new trucks for Electoral Commission of Zambia ordered from South Africa to be used in ferrying of election materials.

Mr. Akufuna has since stated that the trucks will be opened to enable those suspicious to check what is inside.

“How can I know am in lusaka! The commission bought trucks from south Africa, they are coming to Lusaka via katima mulilo boarder post, if they suspect anything let them open the trucks and verify” he said

ESTHER MWATA KATONGO ON THE EIGHT TRUCKS

Meanwhile, Zambia Police Deputy Spokesperson Esther Mwata Katongo explained that when the eight trucks reached Sesheke, UPND cadres became suspicious and demanded to check what was inside and after checking through , they discovered that there was nothing in the containers.

She noted that the trucks proceeded and when they reached Livingstone, UPND cadres begun protesting burning tyres on roads demanding that the trucks be opened.

Ms Katongo urged political parties to avoid causing anarchy over speculations.

Ms Katongo said there was need for political parties to remain calm and follow procedures in instances where they had doubt.

“The said eight new trucks for ECZ, which are for ferrying election materials, were ordered from South Africa and they passed through Katima Mulilo Border Post.

“When the trucks reached Sesheke, UPND cadres because suspicious and demanded to check inside but they found nothing. When the trucks reached Livingstone, cadres began protesting and burnt tyres on the road demanding for the trucks to be opened.

“ECZ allowed the trucks to be opened and they did not find anything but empty containers. ECZ has also allowed those who want to escort the trucks to Lusaka in the spirit of eliminating suspicion,” Ms Katongo said.

90 COMMENTS

  1. They are not alert. These UPND cadres have become paranoid with the impending defeat of their leader, Hallucinating Hyena (HH).

    • This is wrong it is akin to taking the law in to
      your on hands. This alarmist behaviour is likely to cause arnachy and lawlessness. How may trucks will you suspect how many will you open?
      Lets be civilised and stop this nonsense.
      So UPND supporters are now customs officers. What a country where people thrive on lies and rumours.

    • Even if UPND printed the ballots and were put in charge of conducting the forth coming elections,HH would still lose.

    • August 11 please come quick so we can retire HH

      Impounding empty trucks…that’s the works of a PATHETIC LIAR HH

      August 11 vote PF ( Edgar )

      I thank you

    • I think it’s time we cut this serpent HH from the head in this election once and for all! We have clipped him from the tail too many times! He is a pompous, obnoxious, egomaniac who in his delusions thinks he is the president of Zambia. His cadres are violent and paranoid who just can’t accept that the Zambian people don’t like their Messiah. Zambians have rejected this Diablo so many times already but because he is delusional, he thinks every one else is the problem.
      I commend ZP for not arresting and injuring those possessed UPND cadres. The violence we are now seeing in Zambia is due to UPND and their head $atani$t HH. Let’s lock him up when he loses the elections for the hundredth time! Enough of this Diablo!

    • This thuggery is an act of self strangulation in the courts of public sanity and maturity. In no way can it elicit winning votes. It’s the easiest way to buy defeat with an outright rejection. It could be a plus in the Central African Republic and Somalia, but certainly a political succide for UPND in Zambia. Don’t say we were not this generous to help you take a dignited defeat. You may suffer a historic humiliation. You have mishandled your politics.

    • This is called tough marking….make no mistake, the mood is volatile and any attempt at rigging will be throwing a fire into a drum of petrol. Naya nayo, nayo…………

    • VIGILANCE AND ALERTNESS IS THE THEME IN THESE ELECTIONS. EVERY PATRIOTIC ZAMBIAN SHOULD REMAIN VIGILANT. LUNGU SHOULD NOT IMPOSE HIMSELF ON US AGAIN. VIVA CHANGE VIVA!

    • @Truth, this is the kind of vigilance and alertness you need to obliterate UPND from Zambian polictics, don’t you think? After that there will be no suspicions of any kind.

    • Agreed with your observations. I support UPND in this election. I don’t support unreasonable behavior.

      On what basis are the UPND cadres taking a ride or ‘escorting’ these trucks? My appeal to the party I support is that we should get carried away with such embarrassing behavior. This type of behavior should be associated with the demented and thuggish PF. Soon if you are not careful, the middle ground will bunch you with the thieving PF leadership which strips the country bare of its wealth in a year and then says sontapo epo waiba like Lungu the drunk.

      Come off it and be civil. Ba bbuju get on their case.

  2. If I was ECZ Chairperson I would inform all the election stakeholders about all election related procurements including the schedule for deliveries of such goods in order to avoid unnecessary suspicion. I don’t blame the caders…ECZ trucks coming in at time of elections which is suspicious.

    • UPND are just scared stiff of defeat. What you are saying is not feasible. UPND should just behave. They did this many times in the last election and came empty handed and lost the election clean.

    • Dear Ngolwa, I remember that was on 28 October, 2008 in Livingstone. Someone from South Africa had sent an alert message to PF and UPND that the trucks were carrying ballot papers when in fact not. ECZ allowed four member each from UPND and PF to inspect then trucks and only found some lamps. Later ECZ advised that the trucks be released and escorted to Lusaka by both PF and UPND cadres. PF agreed to the resolution but UPND still cause trouble by trying to hold on to the truck. So you that even then UPND was the major escalator of trouble, even in the event that they were proved wrong.

      In this case, UPND are just being unruly and have not reason to do this. This is the difference between the 2008 incident you may be alluding too It is only becoming a culture of behaviour during…

    • Nagolwa do you people even understand. You are now paranoid of your own shadows. Imagine if upnd gets in power (God forbid) will they give up power when time comes. With such behaviour im beginning to see the real people you are.

    • Sorry dear Mutinta. Am not even UPND just a Zambian citizen who has been observing the political atmosphere in our country. And yes am also a registered voter. Like I said..if I was the ECZ chairperson I would be giving that kind of information in my scheduled updates to the stakeholders. Key word..if

    • You don’t blame the cadres for lawlessness? If this is how UPND will rule Zambia in case they sin, then we shall be a country of lumpen. Honestly speaking in the last two weeks PF starts to appear like they have a leadership that is in charge. Cadres seem to have become better behaviored than their counterparts.

  3. UPND are so fools! You are again trying to cause another death. When are people going to mature and become civilised. PF and ECL are winning these election clean. Your tribalism will not work. Just see that even your alertness is only in Southern Province. What signal are you sending to the rest of the country? You are saying that UPND is only a Southern province party and this may cement the need for many voters to reject your tribal party. You are causing your defeat. Zambians are watching your behavior closely. You are only celebrating your defeat.

    Your behavior is disgusting to say the least.

  4. Good move alert UPND members!

    Please leave no stone unturned. We all know that the PF led government is the most crooked regime since independence.

    Let us try every possible means to search anything that can carry papers or looks suspicious.

    Please search every possible vehicle and location.

    Together we will make every possible effort, and use every possible resource to ensure that the elections are free and fair.

    Engage in illegal interference with the process of the 2016 elections at your own risk because we are watching every crooked movement by PF.

    Meanwhile vote HH and the UPND team!

    • This is good so that you will not complain of any irregularities for your coming defeat because HH is again kissing dust!!!! tribalism will given a kick in the ass!!!

    • Asigai

      You major on something obnoxious by your last sentence, ‘tribalism will given a kick in the ass!!!’

      Are the people of Lusaka, Copperbelt, North Western, Western, Southern, Central and many in the North tribal for supporting HH and UPND?

      I am right here in Lusaka and my friends in Chawama and Misisi and Kanyama are routing for HH…..so stop this tribal talk. Democracy will be the winner.

      As much as I disapprove of the Lungu Presidency, I am the first to support the right of the Easterners to vote for their son and of course for most of my tribemates to vote for this surrogate presido they have put in plot one.

    • I did not create this scenerio. it is there for everyone to see that Southern Province is the only place where no other parties are not welcome. In short, any party that does not sponsor a non-Tonga is not welcome. In Eastern Province no one is being victimised just because they do not support ECL or PF. For your information, Eastern Province was the last strong hold for harry Mwaanga Nkhumbula at the height of UNIP. So Eastern Province plays no favours like Southern Province. It is an open minded region, doing issue based politics.

      It is UNPND which declared after the death of Mazoka that only a Tonga can lead UPND. What does tell about this party and what is currently happening in SP. Most of those supporting UPND in other Provinces are either Tongas or affiliates. So, my friend,…

  5. Seems ECZ has not learnt from past occurrences. In 2011 UPND impounded some trucks carrying lamps in Livingstone, while PF did the same for another ECZ consignment that was passing through the Nakonde border post. Election period is usually associated with unfounded rigging fears. With increased use of social media, such rumours can spread within few seconds. It’s therefore the work of ECZ to work hand in hand with other stakeholders to quell such fears beforehand.

  6. Stupid upnd cadres wanted to burn the trucks at katima mulilo boder…! This is un acceptable..! The police should be strong on upnd before the country is put on fire..! Hh and his gbv are up to no good..! Tame them before its too late..!

  7. Disgusting, where are you Spaka like lilo? And what do you say to this paranoia?

    I bet even Shoprite can no longer bring its wares safely.
    Kikikikikikiki…..awe sure ebu mbuli ubu.

  8. the problem is with the police they a so renient on upnd cadres if they put this country on fire its u police to blame, y scaring civilian?

  9. The other day I heard in a pub that there was a rumour from UPND that they had received information that some premarked ballot papers had passed through Chirundu border post. I dismissed what I thought was pub talk and that no one in his right senses would believe such nonsense. Well, it seems that I underestimated the stu.pidi.ty of UPND and their cadres. UPND why not just accept that you have lost clean and massively?

  10. Ati conducted a “successful” search? UPND cadres and your leaders, are you.normal.human beings like the rest of us?

  11. Eish, what else is new? Lest we forget, PF also used to play these games! I guess PF calling it “disgusting” is the new part?

    LIVINGSTONE (October 28, 2008). Supporters of the United Party for National Development (UPND) and the Patriotic Front (PF) in Livingstone have impounded two trucks from South Africa on suspicion that the vehicles are carrying presidential ballot papers.

    PF District Secretary Nelly Mwamba claims someone in Durban, South Africa sent a cellular phone text message to Zambia suggesting that the trucks were allegedly carrying ballot papers.

    The UPND and PF cadres impounded the trucks Monday at the Livingstone Weigh Bridge after being informed that the vehicles had allegedly avoided to pass through the scanning machine at Zambia Revenue Authority Port Office.

    • Just go and cast your vote instead of wasting your time searching for the unkown,you id!ot!
      Mwanya mukasecha namafi one day!

    • I think let Upnd 1mbeciles be stationed on all entry points and do the searching. It’s better for them to be convinced that they will lose clean and fairly before voting day. Meanwhile HH will run to south Africa with his business proposal his calls 10 point plan after losing.

  12. ECZ is a government institution with Zambians managing the same, so cant expect it to favor any one but voters’ decision. otherwise it was quite backward behaviour

  13. That was a decoy. For those who do not understand military language, the trucks were used as a distraction. They send empty ones and then you follow them and search them only to find that they are empty. This makes you feel stupid to do it again. When the real deal comes, you allow them to pass without any suspicion. So UPND do get tired. make sure you search any suspicious looking truck even if all of them are empty, just continue.

  14. The only fo0l kudos as usual is insulting. Chipuba ichi called kudos. Thanks PF for wasting our 5 years. By the way mealie meal was K30.

    • You are wrong meali meal used to be 25ngwee during my youthful days. Where you born in chiluba erra or you simply lucks some dynamics of economics.

    • Why cant you ask ka gbm about the price of mealie meal. Dont even say that gbm is not in govt, Dagote is not in govt. But he has chosen to make a difference because he cares for Zambia & Africa at large.

    • Actually during my youthful days, Mealie meal was 9 ngwee per 90kg bag

  15. Disgustingly Pathetic, Why can’t you conduct a search where Hungry Hyena got that wealth.Be intellectual and realistic.
    Hungry Hyena liquidated and benefitted emersingly from Privitisation and you busy chasing empty trucks. You stupid retards.
    Your president is heading for another embarrassing defeat.

    • How will Lungu defeat HH when he has bankrupted the country by stealing more than K15 million in one year, borrowed crazy and make corruption the daily soup in Zed.

      HH na GBM….this year, paka litente,….ba UPND baisa!!

  16. IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE ALERT. BUT WE SHOULD DISTINGUISH BEING ALERT FROM BEING PARANOID. YOU DON’NT NEED TO THINK VERY HARD IN ORDER TO BE REASONABLE. IF THE ECZ WANTED TO RIG ELECTIONS THEY WOULD NOT USE THOSE TRUCKS. THEY WILL PROBABLY USE PRIVATE TRUCKS OR SHOPRITE TRUCKS. AND LIVINGSTONE BEING A BORDER TOWN YOU WILL KEEP RECEIVING SUCH TRUCKS EVERY TIME. HOW ARE YOU GOING TO KNOW WHICH TRUCK IS CARRYING PRE-MARKED BALLOTS IF ANY? DO NOT RUSH INTO ANYTHING. THE PROCESS SO FAR IS VERY TRANSPARENT. YOU WILL LOSE IN A VERY CLEAN GAME. AND IF ALL OF YOU ACCOMPANY EMPTY TRUCKS TO LUSAKA, WHO WILL REMAIN MANNING THE BORDER IN LIVINGSTONE? AND RIGGING IN THIS MANNER IS NOT POSSIBLE. FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:
    1. ALL BALLOT BOXES ARE EITHER TRANSPARENT OR OPENED BEFORE VOTING STARTS TO ENSURE…

  17. (CONTINUED)
    THAT THEY ARE EMPTY AT EVERY POLLING STATION.
    2. THE COUNTING AT EACH POLLING STATION IS DONE IN THE PRESENCE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF EACH PARTY AT EACH POLLING STATION.
    3. REPRESENTATIVES OF EACH PARTY MUST SIGN AGAINST THE RESULTS TO CONFIRM THAT THEY ACCEPT THE COUNTS AT EACH POLLING STATION.
    4.RESULTS FOR EACH POLLING STATION ARE STUCK ON THE NOTICE BOARD FOR THE PUBLIC TO SEE.
    5. THESE RESULTS ARE THE ONES SENT TO MULUNGUSHI TOTALING CENTRE WITH SIGNATURES APPENDED TO THEM.
    6. THESE ARE THE RESULTS THAT ARE ANNOUNCED.
    SO CAN SOMEONE TELL ME WHERE RIGGING (IN THIS PATTERN) CAN OCCUR. IF YOU STUFF BALLOT BOXES, THE COUNT WILL NOT TALLY WITH WHAT IS AT THE POLLING STATION. WHAT WITH PVT AND THE USE OF MOBILE PHONES TO INFORM YOUR PARTY ABOUT THE COUNTS?
    LETS BE…

  18. It was total stand still this morning in Livingstone and atleast UPND did not find anything on the trucks, sucks!

    Viva His Ex ECL 2016

    From your friends in Livingsone

  19. (CONTINUED)
    REASONABLE BA UPND. YOU CLAIM TO BE INTELLIGENT BUT ALL THE WHILE YOU APPEAR QUITE THE OPPOSITE.

  20. Anyone who sees bad in everything and everyone is a danger to society. And what HH and UPND must know is this, if PF became irritated, the while southern province will be reduced to ashes, so let them just lose in peace, the country already know that President Lungu will be given his 5 year mandate on 11 August and this undisputable. The minimum a person can be President in Zambia is 5 years especially when he is ad hard working, God fearing and development oriented.
    Our voters cards are very ready for a resounding YES vote for President Lungu and PF.

  21. There is just too much recklessness in Zambia..surely ECZ how do you buy Trucks and are being delivered now. Everything is a logistical mess…this why trucks end up ferry maize for proxy bussinesses…I hope a thorough audit is done after the elections.

  22. This country has really bcome lawless. Where is the Govt on this? What r the police doing? U can’t ve lawless chaps start searching vehicles. UNDER WHICH LAW? Police must shoot (with live ammunition) on attempt. Mayb its this thing Kambwili was talking about that most police r Tonga & so we c them working with oposition. EL where r u. Fire o these policemen. Arrest these holigans. No, just shoot them dead. Have u not seen that in Lsk they r now behaving? Shoot them o …

    • This is ranting of a drunken hashish pusher…..you think you make sense?

      Go take a dive in some chimbotela somewhere and regain consciousness…..lol

  23. HH has been warned by share holders that if he costs them money for nothing, they will ensure the Mafia sorts him out. And you know what the Mafia can do.

  24. The serpent’s head and its crawling bellies (supporters) are paranoid and delusional! I concur with the observer above before it bites the innocent.

  25. bembas should be careful with lungu. He will cleanse your bad conduct after 8/11. Do you know why he never got one of you for veep?

    Muka papa. Pembeleni.

    You are better off with HH, trust me.

    • Amour, You are only drunk with your tribal inclinations, divisive mentality which is only found in Southern province. The Northerners and Luapulans are mature politically and deal with matter without being bias on tribal lines. You cannot be asking for votes from the Bembas in such an insulting manner. Remember, many Bembas are on this platform and will make sure they spread the word against HH just because of your carelessness. This is partly why HH has continued to lose elections. You insult other tribes and ask for their votes. Are you people sane? I think there is something embedded in your culture that is not compatible in today’s Zambia. I strong ask some researcher to do a PhD research on you guys.

  26. Trust is priceless. Zambians do not trust the PF Govt and ECZ. There is a perception that Lungu and his Pf govt is rigging these elections and ECZ is conniving with the govt to steal the vote. ECZ so far has failed to pacify concerned stakeholders that they are organizing and delivering free,fair and credible elections on behalf of Zambians. ECZ need to re-assure all Zambians and foreign Observers that they are sufficiently independent and professional to organise free,fair and credible elections in Zambia. ECZ thru actions need to dispel rumours that they are acting on State House orders to rig the elections on 11th August 2016. Period.

    • Hahaha! UPND and HH are losing again. Your are only strong in Southern province. The rest is cosmetic. We told you that depending on one province does not win election. Insults do not win election. Violence does not win election. Stopping other parties from campaigning in SP does win elections. Accepting disgruntled people like GBM, Guy Scout, Maureen and the others does not win elections. Zambians know who is genuine who is fake. HH is very fake. He is not a politician but a businessman. He has missed the political mark and that is why Sata called him an under 5. The end for HH. The end for UPND. Next please!!!!

    • Why rig elections? It’s like you are writing an exam and you have prepared yourself, do you really need leakage? Absolutely no.

  27. Just tell us whether Mulungushi Textiles in Kabwe has opened as promised(01/08/2016). If not what is the likely political implications in Kabwe for ECL and what it mean for all promises LUNGU is making in his campaigns?. Those are stories to follow up and not this truck monitory activities by carders. You Zambian reporters are mediocre and raw. Very dull reporters wonder people are led to vote useless people in Govt.

    • If your tribesmen are not voted into govt doesn’t mean that the ones who get voted are useless. The moment you morons start voting for other tribes then one of yours will easily become president.

    • Too bad for you Lucy, the man did it. Mulungushi Textiles in Kabwe was opened yesterday. I am sure you did not expect it, right?

  28. Elections its now heating up, we now have convoys following. ECZ has always been a government institution. Albeit it being ‘independent’ from intervention. August 11th is coming very soon

  29. Yo for one don’t trust PF ECZ, these guys did a good job, don’t leave any stone unturned. This way, they will be afraid to riggie , don’t take chances. Search every suspicious truck. Good jobs guys. Keep it up

  30. Ba upnd stop being dull do you think anyone who wants to rig elections would bring in rigging materials bu road or use southern route?
    Leave ECZ to do its work twapapata

  31. DEJAVU! PARANOIA GRIPS UPND AGAIN.
    Déjà vu! I am reading trash above and I am like, seriously? You call lawlessness, alertness? Why should a group of thugs be given the slightest chance to exhibit their unruly and lawless acts like this. If these thugs will be allowed to conduct themselves in a hooligan like manner like this in full view of police, then the levels of lawlessness in SP is unprecedented.

  32. That’s the problem nabanensu no original ideas. They by copying everything the PF did in opposition is the gateway to power.
    Unfortunately you copy right answer to wrong questions and you fail 17 times per hour kikikikiki

  33. UPND you are not yet alert! How do you even escort the trucks all the way and let the contraband arrive safely in Lusaka! Learn from the way South Africa does it at its boarders – THE 2016 TECHNOLOGY OF CROSSBOARDER SMUGGLING INVOLVES PUTTING THINGS LIKE DRUGS AND BALLOT PAPERS INSIDE THE TRUCK WALLS WHILE LEAVING EMPTY SPACE TO DECIEVE INSPECTORS. IF THE TRUCKS WERE SCANNED YOU WOULD HAVE PROVED THIS RIGHT. REMEMBER BALLOT PAPERS ARE SIMPLE PAPERS WHICH CAN FIT IN MILLIONS IN THE 8 TRUCKS. TRUCK THE REMAINING TRUCKS THAT WAY AND YOU WILL CATCH THEM. ALTERNATIVELY GO BACK AND INSPECT THE TRUCKS NEXT WEEKS BEFORE YOU SETTLE THE CASE.

  34. The reporting is not accurate.. …what has not be reported is the other cars that were escorting the trucks with state agents on board. why escort empty trucks from south africa amidst tight security..what happened to the other unregistered cars?

  35. EVERY BEHAVIOR IS CAUSED. ECZ’S INSISTENCE TO PRINT BALLOTS IN DUBAI IS THE MAIN CAUSE OF ALL THESE SUSPICIONS

  36. Some PF cadres on this blog have short memory. Didn’t PF cadres force ECZ trucks to be opened during RB’s reign? But why do PF police continue to shoot live bullets at protesting people? PF police should know that PF will not always be in power and all their cadres and PF police cadres will one day be answerable in courts of law and Lungu will not be there to defend them.

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