Eastern Province Police Commissioner Grace Chipali says the police will not allow opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema to address rallies in the province despite having granted permits two weeks ago.
Chipali, who could not state why she had reneged on her office’s granting the opposition party permits a fortnight ago after being officially written to, said the UPND would have to wait until long standing electoral petitions for three parliamentary seats are held.
The police could not however justify why President Michael Sata held a rally in Vubwi Constituency where the nullification of Eustackio Kazonga’s seat is still mired in legal controversy.
However some of the areas the opposition leader was being barred from addressing rallies are not by-election terrains.
“We will not allow anyone to hold by-elections in areas where there are petitions in court and there are impending by-elections,” Chipali said in a rare moment the police have shown firmness in pretending to follow the law.
However, the UPND leader insisted that he will go ahead and address meetings as what was planned were indoor intra-party gatherings.
Hichilema, who had been summoned by the police, promised to get back to them once he had concluded the day’s business.
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