PF Cadres Attack Socialist Candidate, Leaving Him Unconscious

The Socialist Party has called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia to take decisive action against the Patriotic Front after government loyalists attacked the opposition party’s candidate for Shiwang’andu constituency. 

Andrew Kapasa Makasa Kalalu was attacked on Friday by PF thugs who were part of Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo’s team. The assault, which took place while campaigning in Mwiche and Ichingo wards, left Mr Kalalu unconscious and with a deep gash on his forehead. 

According to Socialist Party Vice President Cosmas Musamali, Kalalu was attacked after asking the PF cadres what they were doing in the ward when they had no business being there. “This inquiry was met or was responded to with this brutal attack.” Musamali explained. 

Mr Kalalu was taken to Ilondola hospital for treatment, along with another member of his team who had also sustained injuries. 

Dr Musamali lays the blame for the attack squarely with Minister Kampyongo, who he says is “known for his violence”.

“He condones violence. He has done it in the past and he is still doing it today. He has gotten away with this violence in the past. This is unacceptable,” he said. 

Mr Kampyongo does indeed have a record of supporting violence. In 2015, he defended several PF youths who attempted to bring down a helicopter carrying members of the United Party for National Development, including former First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa and Lunte MP Felix Mutati. 

Kampyongo, who was deputy minister of home affairs at the time, said the PF youths had been expecting members of their own party to arrive and that the UPND team “got what they deserved”. 

Writing to the ECZ, the socialist party has now complained that this latest attack took place in full view of Kampyongo, who was campaigning illegally in the area. 

“Please note that the PF candidate, Kampyongo, disregarded that campaign timetable set by ECZ  and entered the same ward to conduct meetings on a day designated to our candidate,” said Dr Musumali. 

“In every election Kampyongo has participated in since PF came into power, there has been violence against his opponents. We hope that this time, the Commission will take a firm stance against such barbaric attacks,” he concluded.