Kalaba Attacked By PF Cadres, DP Alleges

According to Democratic Party (DP) spokesperson Judith Kabemba, the party’s president Harry Kalaba was attacked by alleged PF cadres earlier this week.

Kabemba claims that the incident took place in Kitwe and that the cadres in question were armed and attempted to incite DP supporters to violence.

The cadres, who she claims followed Kalaba from Mufulira and were joined by more in Kitwe, allegedly blocked the former minister’s route to Radio Chengelo, ahead of a scheduled interview at the station.

Kabemba stated that the DP would not engage in violent behaviour and warned PF cadres guilty of such acts that they could be prosecuted following the 2021 elections.

Meanwhile, Operation Young Vote (OYV) Executive Director Guess Nyirenda has accused the PF of failing youths and instead “resorting to hiring them to fight and intimidate those with divergent views.”

“The violence that the PF cadres displayed on the National Youth Day – 12th March, 2020 – in full view of the Republican President – the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu, the Services Chiefs is appalling and vexing but more so an indication that these cadres and youth are ready to go for anyone including the President. This must be stopped. It is not too late. In fact it is better late than never if at all we are late as a nation in addressing this calamity,” Nyirenda is quoted by The Mast as stating.

Nyirenda has warned of the consequences for the PF should they fail to confront the problem.

“That the disgruntled-ness they have bred in the country among the youth and cadres to ‘fight’ and intimidate anyone with divergent views will not long from now work against themselves as we have started to witness with a ‘dyonkho’ exhibited when some cabinet minister was allegedly clobbered and the recent PF against another PF faction right in the face of the President and all Service Chiefs,” he stated.