UPND Cadres Accused of Raiding PF Secretariat

UPND Cadres Accused of Raiding PF Secretariat

A violent attack on the Patriotic Front secretariat in Lusaka is concerning after a group believed to be UPND cadres stormed the premises on Saturday, injuring people and damaging property in an incident recorded on mobile phones and widely shared online. The group had earlier gathered at Kulima Tower bus station, where witnesses said they assembled in small groups throughout the day, some wearing masks and party-branded clothing.

The attack took place at the junction of Panganani and Lumumba roads, a location where mechanics, small-scale traders and PF members operate daily. When the convoy of motorcycles and public buses arrived, the men rushed towards the secretariat and began beating anyone in the vicinity. Mechanics said they were attacked without warning, losing tools and personal items as they tried to escape. Vendors nearby also fled after seeing people being struck repeatedly while lying on the ground.

Political commentator Dr. Lawrence Mwelwa criticised the incident, saying it revived fears linked to the Mapatizya Formula, a tactic associated with confrontational political conduct. He pointed to recent public remarks made in Bweengwa and Monze, where senior UPND figures spoke about bringing back cadre visibility and showing political strength. He said these public statements may have emboldened groups already known for confrontational behaviour.

Dr. Mwelwa also noted that the UPND had previously condemned the PF for allowing cadres to dominate public spaces during its time in office. He said the public expected a different approach from the ruling party, especially after the 2021 change of government. According to him, the return of organised groups in bus stations and markets would take the country back to conditions that citizens thought had ended.

People who live and work near the PF secretariat said the attack appeared planned. They reported that the group moved together, acted in unison and left the area quickly once the raid was completed. Mechanics who store materials near the PF office said they were beaten despite having no link to any political activity that day. A vendor who sells drinks outside the area said she ran as soon as she saw the group rush into the street.

The PF described the incident as unprovoked, stating that there was no meeting or activity at the secretariat that could have triggered a confrontation. Individuals present said they were standing outside the office when the group arrived. Some of them, who were not involved in politics, said they found themselves targeted simply because they were near the building.

Videos from the scene show several men in red attire punching and kicking people who had fallen to the ground. Other clips show men smashing items outside the secretariat and shouting as they moved through the area. The online circulation of the footage drew strong reactions from members of the public who said such scenes threatened Zambia’s political climate as the 2026 elections approach.

People familiar with operations at Kulima Tower said groups wearing political colours had been more visible in recent months. Traders at the station said they were not surprised when they heard the attackers came from that direction, as some men had been gathering there throughout the week. They said the station had once again become a place where politically aligned groups exert informal control.

Dr. Mwelwa said the responsibility to prevent a return to such behaviour lies with party leadership. He said political competition should never place citizens in danger, and that silence over these acts may create the impression that groups acting violently are protected. He added that Zambia has struggled with similar episodes in past administrations, and repeating them would weaken public confidence in institutions responsible for safeguarding political freedoms.

The attack has renewed calls for clear and firm action from both the ruling party and law enforcement. Members of the public said they want to see a visible response that discourages any group from using political affiliation to justify violent behaviour. They warned that failure to act could create an atmosphere in which intimidation becomes normal during the election period.