Police in Mansa have arrested United Party for National Development (UPND) Deputy National Youth Chairperson, Mr. Stephen Chikota, and 19 others.
Mr. Chikota has been accused of organizing a group that caused damage to a police car and public property and has been released on police bond pending a court appearance.
Mr. Chikota is accused of among other things damaging a police car, blocking the main road, and holding an illegal protest.
After his press briefing held in Mansa, villagers in the area also dismounted a bridge that connects Chembe to Mansa to prevent the investor to haul the illegal ore.
Mr. Chikota has accused certain Ministers and senior government officials he is ready to name of engaging in corruption and aiding an investor who has an exploration license to illegally mine copper, cobalt, and a rare mineral called Sugilite.
Meanwhile, UPND Deputy National Youth Chairperson-Gender Cindy Kauka has said that Chikota’s position on the foreigners doing business with senior party members at the cost of many skilled suffering youths is commendable.
In a statement released to the media in support of Mr Chikota, Ms Kauka said that the Youths of this country cannot be underrated anymore, and that it’s high time everyone realizes that youths posses the right skill sets to manage these small projects and many others.
“We cannot be treated as though we are outcasts in our own country, we will not tolerate the old behavior of abusing young people.
“To this effect, we are coming to the police station where CHIKOTA has been detained, we will not leave until we know why he has been arrested and who sent the Indian foreigners to do businesses which are meant for the local youths.
“To you our top leaders protecting these foreign nationals, choose whose interests you represent, is it for the local youths or Indian foreigners”, she asked
“We the youths are a strong force and we can assure you that it’s just a matter of time before we react. We cannot be suffering because of a few Ministers who at no point sacrificed an arm and leg, ” concluded the statement.
And UPND National Youth Chairman Gilbert Liswaniso has said that the UPND youth leadership remains resolute to engage the police in a bid to maintain law and order in the country.
Mr. Liswaniso said with the new dawn administration it is a collective responsibility to rebuild and reunite Zambia.
Speaking in an interview with Journalists, in an apparent reference to a viral video of his deputy in charge of administration Stephen Chikota taunting police officers manning an area with minerals in Chembe district of Luapula Province.
Mr. Liswaniso in appreciating the situation said the youth leadership style is that of engagement but without emotions attached.
“Like l always say youths are going through counseling and they need to be handled well following a political hostile and running battles with the police. I can tell you that youths hate so much illegality and are learning to handle issues now that they are in the ruling party, guide us we are ready to learn from you” he said.
But Mr Liswaniso was quick to mention that as per directive by President Hakainde Hichilema, the new dawn administration is there to serve the Zambian people and empower all citizens.
“It will not sit well that we should be going against the presidential directive. My appeal, especially to all the UPND youth leaders across the country, is that regardless of how charged and irritated about an issue, let us continue to engage in a peaceful manner” he counseled.
“I wish to assure the Zambian people that all the UPND youths and the leaders are there for the party and Zambia to build peace and unity.Let us work together” Mr. Liswaniso said.
Ati PF cadres were violent. Did any PF cadre damage a police vehicle.
You are yet to see the worst. Arrested and released on police within hours. Pretence by the new dark government.
There three types of voters….1) Those who genuinely want change.
2) Those who just follow the wind and
3) Those who want direct person benefit.
No3 want to enjoy just like their late enemies aka PF. Eventually they succeed.
I saw that altercation with the police. Eishhhh…..whatever is going on may the right thing be done for the benefit of society in general
Now this is existing in open view, GRZ and its custodians and the public, to come up with proven results that can be tested independently and Come up with the same Outcome. GRZ Should be about hypothesis not correlation.
“Taxation without representation is tyranny.”
Arrest that monkey. Thank you zp
PASS and end cadre deployment bill and make it lawfully applied to support public order because the route cause of the countries political problems violence corruption lack of productivity and state has always always presceeded cardreism This has to end and people on weekends meet after work for political discourse and only secretariates work full time all others work non partisan formally without politics following rule of law DA in southfrican has followed on to make it law to end like in other quiet and working countries It begins small then into militant groups and the groups in Nigeria
The problem is locals are not benefiting from the natural resources of their surroundings………..
Every Zambian should jealousy guard their environment against wanton acts if looting of natural resources by people in cahoots with foreigners…………
Every Zambian should know what is being mined in their area and what trees are being decimated , what are they hiding ?
Salute to chikota………
Zambian youth were used but what goes around comes around
While I do not support violence, the sentiments are true. Zambians are being sidelined everywhere and it has become the norm of the day. For instance, Zambians are lined up in queue for some service. A foreigner comes and goes straight to the head of the queue and nobody reacts. and yes, they are served!
At KK International Airport, all Zambians escorting their departing relatives remain at the entrance and are not allowed in to the check-in point. All foreigner have their whole villages escorting them up to the check-in point! Are the Zambians manning these points corrupt?
When will we learn that Zambia is our beloved country, kansi?
Finally we are seeing the law applied equally to both PF and upnd cadres. Let this be a lesson to all cadres.
I personally support what this upnd youth leader did.
So it’s happening so soon, corruption involving upnd ministers? And the revelation coming from within their ranks.
Awe sure, umuntu muntu!
@ #7 Spaka, your opening line resonates with me and leads me to wonder what provincial administrations are for if not as a first stop for all activities happening in their jurisdiction. It seems all decisions and management regarding natural resources are a preserve of the seat in Lusaka and those who live with the resources are there to protect them for other peoples or regions benefit!
But is the man with a cape can be a youth? I thought nibashikulu chakuti chakuti because of white ndevu.
Razor are sure what you are saying the truth?
What about Mr LISWANISO the National Youth Chairman. The Police
and entire UPND is mute over the threats he made recently.
Is it because one is black and the other is white?