Mr Kakoma said that Mr Sililo has allegedly gone into hiding and that this defeats the essence of having elections because the UPND has been disadvantaged.

Mr Kakoma was reacting to news of the arrest of UPND members by the Police.

On Saturday , Police in Western Province arrested UPND Sesheke Central member of Parliament (MP) Siyauya Sianga for allegedly being part of a group of machete-wielding thugs who attacked Patriotic Front (PF) secretary general Davies Chama and his entourage in Mulobezi.

“The MP did nothing to be arrested,” Mr Kakoma said. Mr Kakoma called on the police to ensure law and order is maintained.

Mr Sianga, Gerald Imanda and Godfrey Likamba were arrested on Saturday and are detained at Sichili Police Post in Mulobezi while Mushaukwa Mushaukwa is nursing a gunshot wound under police guard at Sesheke District Hospital.

Inspector-General of Police Stella Libongani and Western Province commissioner of police Standwell Lungu confirmed Mr Sianga’s arrested along with the two UPND cadres.

Ms Libongani said the three were arrested after Mr Chama and PF officials reported the attack to Sichili Police Post.

“Police officers found offensive weapons in Mr Sianga’s vehicle after searching it,” Ms Libongani said.

She warned that the police will firmly deal with individuals perpetrating violence in Mulobezi.

Mr Lungu said the police arrested Mr Sianga, who is UPND parliamentary candidate Sililo’s campaign manager, because he was found at the scene where Mr Chama and his entourage were attacked by suspected UPND cadres.

“We have arrested and detained Mr Sianga because he was found at the scene where Mr Chama was attacked.

“After searching his vehicle, the police found a panga, an axe and a pistol. So, he is in police custody,” Mr Lungu said.

And police spokesperson Charity Munganga-Chanda said in a statement yesterday that police have apprehended Mr Sianga and Mr Likamba along with Mr Mushaukwa, who is nursing a gunshot wound in hospital.

“A pistol with seven rounds of ammunition and other offensive weapons were recovered from a Toyota Hilux registration number ALD 9469 belonging to honourable Sianga. The Hilux was one of the vehicles that were used to block the road when the attack happened,” Mrs Munganga-Chanda said.

She said the vehicle has been impounded and investigations into the matter have continued.

Meanwhile, UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema is expected to hold a media briefing today at 09:00hrs at the UPND Party Secretariat

Former United Party for National Development (UPND) vice president Richard Kapita says the defections of opposition party members to the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) are an indication that the people are being inspired by President Lungu’s leadership of inclusiveness.

Mr Kapita who recently joined the ruling party cited the latest defections of the MMD and some UPND officials to the ruling party during President Edgar Lungu’s visit was an indication that the PF was a progressive party.

Mr. Kapita claimed that the UPND and Movement for Democracy and Development parties are finished and have nothing to offer the Zambian people.

The former UPND Mwinilunga West Member of Parliament was speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Chavuma district.

“During my defection to the PF in Mwinilunga district, l said the opposition UPND is finished and many others will follow me they denied that but today, my words have come to fruition. PF is the only party capable of developing Zambia nothing else,” he said.

Another PF member Goodson Sansakuwa said new members from the opposition joining PF have seen that the PF party manifesto is good.

Mr. Sansakuwa, a former MMD provincial Chairman, said in a separate interview that that MMD and the PF have got similar ideologies.

Mr. Sansakuwa said the defectors want to work with government hence their decision to join a party of national character like the PF.

“MMD and PF have got similar ideologies therefore instead of having two political parties, its better we only have one,” he said.

President Lungu who received the defectors reiterated that PF members and leaders must accept new members from other political parties who are willing to work with the ruling party.

Mr Lungu, who is also PF President, vowed that he would not be detracted by critics as he remains focused and determined to strengthen the party and develop the nation.

“Those standing in our way preventing people to come in must get out now. PF is for everyone and this is what Mr. Sata taught me…to embrace numbers because that is what power is about,” he said.

President Lungu said those joining PF must follow the party manifesto and ensure they do what “is pleasing to the party”.

He directed PF Party officials in the North Western province to ensure that more opposition members join the PF

The Zambian Voice has urged the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) leadership to take responsibility of the violence being perpetrated by their cadres in the Mulobezi Constituency by-elections.

Executive Director Chilufyya Tayali said the violence that happened in Machile area in Mulobezi constituency is unfortunate and should be investigated to ensure that the perpetrators are punished.

Mr Tayali said in a statement to media in Lusaka today that the Zambia Voice has received information that the UPND cadres ambushed the Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General Davies Chama in Mulobezi constituency.

“We have confirmed that the police have impounded a Toyota Hilux D4D registration number ALD 9469 allegedly belonging to the UPND campaign manager, the Sesheke Member of Parliament Siyanga Siyauya,” he said.

Mr. Tayali further said it is alleged that items of violence were found in Mr. Siyauya’s vehicle and the MP is currently in police custody as he is believed to be the mastermind of the ambush.

He said a ZAWA officer was allegedly shot during the violence when he tried to stab the driver of the PF Secretary General with a military knife and that the ZAWA officer is a suspected UPND cadre from Sesheke district.

“We don’t blame the poor cadres, but leaders who incite these poor people to engage in violence while they watch from afar and deny responsibility,” said Mr. Tayali

He observed that the PF and the UPND are the ones who are mostly involved in political violence but they seem to be less willing to take responsibility for their violent acts.

Mr. Tayali said the PF leadership and President Edgar Lungu have on a number of times condemned and warned their cadres against violence but that on the contrary, the UPND leadership has always defended its cadres.

Mr. Tayali said UPND should change their attitude and take responsibility for the violence if they were going to stop their cadres from engaging in the vice.

Below is the full statement from Tayali

UPND AND MR. HAKAINDE HICHILEMA SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE VIOLENCE OF THEIR CADRES

We never take sides with wrong things regardless of who is involved. The violence that happened in Machile, Mulobezi constituency is very and it must be investigated to make sure the perpetrators of violence are punished.

Our sources in the area have revealed to us that the United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres ambushed the Secretary General of Patriotic Front (PF) Mr. Davies Chama in Mulobezi constituency.

We have confirmed that the police have impounded a Toyota Hilux D4D registration number ALD 9469 allegedly belonging to the UPND campaign manager Mr. Siyanga Siyauya MP for Sesheke. It is alleged that items of violence were found in the said car. Mr. Siyauya is currently in police custody because he is believed to be the mastermind of the ambush.

A ZAWA officer was shot during the violence when he tried to stub the driver of the SG with a military knife which is in the hands of the police. This ZAWA officer is a UPND cadre from Sesheke. Our sources tell us that there are a number of men who have been refereed into Mulobezi constituency to campaign for UPND candidate Mr. Hastings Sililo.

We don’t blame the poor cadres, but leaders who incite these poor people to engage in violence while they watch from afar and deny responsibility.
While ruling PF and the UPND are the ones who are mostly involved in political violence, the later seem to be less willing to take responsibility for their violence acts. The leadership of UPND is lukewarm when it comes to condemning violence perpetrated their party.

A number of times we have heard the leadership of PF condemning and warning it’s cadres against violence. PF National Youth Chairman Hon. Chishimba Kambwili and President Edgar Lungu have often spoken clearly against violence. However, the UPND leadership and Mr. Hichilema have always come to the defense of their cadres. Rather than take responsibility, they cry out louder of being brutalized by the PF and the police.

Mr. Hichilema could not even condemn the violence that happened before him at Cresta Golfview Hotel which has landed some UPND cadres in trouble as the case is in High Court. Instead condemning the violence at the hotel, Mr. Hichilama blamed the freedom of movement and association of a citizen, that he should not have been there. The Assistant Secretary General Mr. Kuchunga Simusamba even went to an extent of threatening life when some UPND cadres were arrested. Such arrogance is not acceptable in a democratic society like ours, after 50 years of independence.

UPND must change their attitude and take responsibility of the violence if they are going to stop their cadres from engaging in violence. Zambians cannot be held as ransom by a political party.

CHILUFYA TAYALI

Executive Director

The Zambian Voice

Police in Mulobezi have detained UPND former Member of Parliament and candidate Hastings Sililo.

Mr Sililo’s official vehicle was found with articles of violence.

The Police found axes and pangas in his official vehicle and are investigating him for allegedly masterminding the ambush against PF Secreatry General Davies Chama’s convoy.

Sililo’s Toyota Hilux D4D has since been impounded.

The Supreme Court nullified the Mulobezi seat due to Electoral corruption and malpractices.

On Saturday afternoon, a convoy of vehicles belonging to the UPND on Saturday afternoon descended on the convoy of PF Secretary General, Davies Chama.

The UPND cadres descended on the PF convoy without cause and attempted to disrupt it’s movement.

Mr. Davies Chama is in Mulobezi to drum up support for the PF Candidate Patricia Mulasikwanda.

The attack occurred in Machile area.

The UPND vehicle that has been impounded is bearing number plates ALD9469.

UPND has sent into Mulobezi a huge number of their members from Lusaka and on Friday, ECZ advised political parties to refrain from importing cadres from outside areas of by-election to discourage incidences of violence and clashes.

Mr. Chama and his entourage is safe and has since returned to his base at Sichili.

Mr. Zulu, who is now a PF member, has told QFM News in an interview that those accusing the former Head of State of influencing President Lungu are not being fair to both of them.

Mr. Zulu says Mr. Banda has experience of governance and there is nothing wrong for him to share it with President Lungu.

He says even Mr. Banda when he was Republican President he used to consult the First Republican President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda saying it is normal to consult the past President.

He adds that Mr. Banda cannot allow Mr. Lungu to error whilst he is in office and that is why he is trying to offer his opinion on certain issues.

And in another development, pf Mandemvu Constituency Chairman Joseph Tamba says the party will not sit back and watch some people degrade President Edgar Lungu in the name of democracy.

Mr. Tamba tells QFM News in an interview that the party has observed that some people want to be attacking the Head of State unnecessary saying party members will not tolerate that anymore.

Mr. Tamba says if they want to offer checks and balances on the PF government; they can do it without insulting the President.

He says there is need for people to respect the President saying he is there because of the will of the majority Zambians.

Mr. Tamba states that people ought to respect each other as a way of promoting peace and unity in the country.