United Party for National Development (UPND) supporters yesterday held a protest march to Parliament building to petition the house over its decision to allocate K1.4 billion from the government treasury to the office of the First Lady.
UPND secretary general Winstone Chibwe, deputy spokesperson Edwin Lifwekelo William Banda and other notable party members mobilized supporters around 16:00 hours to march to parliament building and stop the move.
UPND argues that the office of the First lady is not a constitutional one and therefore cannot receive any financial allocation from the national budget.
They also protested against the construction of President Michael Sata’s house before his retirement.
But the protest was marred with confusion as police stormed the protesters and arrested 18 youths in the process.
Lusaka Police Chief, Joyce Kasosa confirmed that the 18 had been detained.
“We have apprehended 18 people during the confusion at Parliament, though we have not charged them yet as we are still screening them to find out who was involved in the illegal protest,” Ms Kasosa said.
UPND however managed to proceeded and hand the petition to UPND Kabompo West Member of Parliament Lufuma Ambrose.