Police Block UPND VP On Copperbelt

The UPND Alliance has once again been prevented from campaigning on the Copperbelt after police blocked party VP and running mate Mutale Nalumango from meeting the people of Chililabombwe earlier today. 

Last weekend UPND Alliance presidential candidate Hakainde Hichilema was forced to change his plans to visit the Copperbelt because President Lungu was in the area.  

The move attracted criticism, with opposition arguing firstly that given the size of the province it was possible to have two candidates in the area at once and secondly that President Lungu and Mr Hichilema both reside in the same province.  

Continued attempts to block the opposition on the Copperbelt have prompted speculation that the PF is concerned by the large crowds that the UPND may attract if allowed to campaign freely, which would be a clear indication of trouble for the ruling party which relied heavily on the province to deliver its 2016 victory. 

Commenting on this latest obstacle to campaigns Nalumango explained, “Police in Copperbelt have again infringed on our rights to campaign and instead blocked us from doing so, this is despite us having operated within the confinement of our agreed schedule.” 

“People of Chililabombwe were geared to meet us but after noticing the swelling reactions rising from angry residents especially the youths of Copperbelt, we decided to return,” she continued. 

According to the VP the decision was made to maintain peace and demonstrate responsible leadership, rather than being an act of cowardice.  

“We are also aware that innocent police officers are just like us victims of PF's dictatorial agenda who have joined weird acts as the only mean to protect their jobs and survive the PF's brutal regime,” Nalumango writes. 

However, she warned that police in the area have been “been ordered to provoke the situation in order to arrest and detain our young people thereby stopping them from monitoring PF's rigging schemes.” 

The UPND Alliance running mate concluded by stating, “The message is clear, this is time for change.