The United Party for National Development (UPND) has expelled over 150 unruly youths from Livingstone, Kitwe and Mpika for engaging in thuggery, criminal behaviour and gross misconduct while misrepresenting the ruling party.
During a press briefing at the Anderson Kambela Mazoka Party Secretariat in Lusaka, UPND Secretary General Batuke Imenda stated that the party was built on principles of discipline, unity of purpose and delivering development to the Zambian people, values it will not compromise.
He explained that the expelled youths in Livingstone, operating under the name “Zaire Police,” stormed an Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) voter registration centre where they harassed would-be voters and disrupted the process. Reports indicate that the group forced its way to the front of the queue, intimidated ECZ officers and caused panic before police intervened. The same group later charged at a police station in an attempt to intimidate officers, resulting in one member being shot in the leg after advancing aggressively toward law enforcement.
“This is a criminal act. We will not allow anyone to use UPND regalia to commit crime. We urge the police to firmly address this matter and bring all culprits to book,” he said.
He added that wearing UPND colours does not place anyone above the law or entitle them to disrupt public order, stressing that citizens must be free to conduct their daily activities without harassment.
Mr. Imenda noted that unlike in the past, the Police Service under the UPND administration is encouraged to operate professionally and independently, and will not be intimidated by political cadres.
On the Copperbelt, he revealed that another unruly group from the “Jerabos” community had engaged in lawless conduct. He alleged that the group is sponsored by certain political and business figures who will soon be exposed and disciplined. He identified the ring leaders as Mutuna Chifunda and Kennedy Musonda, also known as “Fit Lion,” who were reportedly seen brandishing firearms and issuing threats to citizens.
In Mpika, he said another group of youths ransacked Michael Chilufya Sata Level One Hospital in Sido area, vandalizing doctors’ hostels, theatre equipment, labour ward facilities and stealing building materials used to build personal business structures while pretending to act on behalf of the UPND.
The Secretary General expressed disappointment that these incidents occurred soon after President Hakainde Hichilema reaffirmed during a State House press conference that cadreism would not be tolerated under his leadership.
“It is surprising that some unruly youths chose to defy the President’s clear directive against cadreism shortly after he addressed the nation,” Mr. Imenda said.
He emphasized that discipline remains a core pillar of the UPND. The party’s disciplinary code, especially Regulation No. 7, outlines punishable offences, and the actions taken align with these regulations.
Mr. Imenda reiterated that President Hichilema has stated that anyone who breaks the law, whether from the ruling party or the opposition, will face consequences without protection.
He stated that as the ruling party, the UPND must set an example of discipline and assure citizens that Zambia is secure under its leadership. He warned that the party will not accept selective application of the law, and every individual who violates rules will be held accountable.
The expelled and suspended youths are prohibited from participating in UPND activities, appearing in the media on behalf of the party, issuing statements in the party’s name or engaging any institution while claiming to represent the UPND.
Mr. Imenda said the decisions were made after thorough administrative review and are final, aimed at protecting the integrity, unity and discipline of the party.
He reaffirmed the UPND’s commitment to its founding values and to serving the Zambian people with transparency and accountability. Mr. Imenda was accompanied by National Youth Chairperson Gilbert Liswaniso and Media Director Mark Simuuwe.
You can bet your bottom dollar, these youths were PF infiltrators.
They were plants with the sole purpose of creating mayhem in order to tarnish the good name and image of UPND.
They were never genuine UPND people and too all intent and purposes bore hatred for HH.
They needed to be got rid of.
Tarnish the name of upnd ??
Dont know which planet some live on ??
Did PF expell anyone the hundred times its cadres wounded and terrorized UPND and the police? Unless you are PF, and in that case cadreism supercede rationality