
POLICE have reprimanded MMD Lusaka Province chairperson, William Banda and eight other cadres who were last week warned and cautioned for unlawful assembly.
Lusaka Province police chief, Charity Katanga said Mr Banda and other MMD cadres had been given the benefit of doubt and reprimanded for their action.
Ms Katanga said in an interview that Mr Banda had assured the police that he would abide by the law next time he intends to hold a meeting.
On Wednesday last week, police warned and cautioned Mr Banda and eight other MMD cadres for unlawful assembly.
The cadres and their lawyer were summoned to Lusaka Central Police Station on Wednesday this week where they were given the last warning.
“This was the first step and we warned them that any political gathering in a public place should be made known to the police in accordance with the Public Order Act,” she said.
According to the Public Order Act, a public place is not only an open space but included buildings where people gathered such as restaurants.
Mr Banda and the cadres were rounded up and bundled into four Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles.
More than 10 other cadres scampered when police raided a restaurant in Woodlands area where the meeting was taking place between 11.00 and 13.00 hours.
Ms Katanga said police should be notified when political players wanted to hold public meetings so that they could provide security.
[Times of Zambia]