Opposition United Party for National Development president Hakainde Hichilema and his officials earlier feared one of their members Siisi Imasiku was feared dead in an incident of violence that occurred in Mongu.
The UPND leader and his team were on their way to Mongu airport when they were advised to wait, as a chopper carrying acting president Guy Scott was about to land.
According to the UPND team, a suspected PF cadre attacked them as they waited many kilometres away from the airport.
The suspected PF cadre has been identified as Imbwae Imasiku who used an object to strike the UPND provincial official.
Meanwhile, PF Secretary General Davies Chama issued a statement condemning the incident.
Below is the statement
STATEMENT ISSUED BY DAVIES CHAMA, PF SECRETARY GENERAL REGARDING AN INCIDENT OF VIOLENCE RECORDED IN MONGU ON 7TH JANUARY 2015.
Members of the media. On behalf of the ruling party, I would like to condemn an incident of violence that occurred in Mongu today which was totally uncalled for.
In the same breath, I am happy to inform you that the identified man that was caught in the violence is out of danger according to the Western Province Commissioner Ms. Lombe Kamukoshi.
Police have informed us that a group of unruly UPND cadres mobilized themselves and came to the Mongu Airport for the sole purpose of disrupting the arrival ceremony of Acting President Dr Guy Scott. This UPND wanton appetite for violence is reaching worrying levels as attested by the police.
In the process, an identified man was hit with a plank by another man, the two are neighbours according to Police Commissioner Kamukoshi. The assailant has been detained and charged according to the information we have received while the victim is out of danger.
Police here are concerned at the levels of provocation and violence from UPND cadres. Let me re-affirm the PF position on violence earlier made by our party President hon. Edgar Lungu last week, a peaceful Leader who detests violence.
The PF shall not tolerate violence regardless of who is involved. We are a peaceful party.
Hon. Lungu has in the past and present personally advised the police to, not only probe acts of violence but to prosecute the acts
.
We once again—as a party that respects the rule of the law—call for a clean and violence-free campaign. I would like to advice the UPND leadership at this point and time to check their members rising appetite for violence and blood. We intend, and we will, win this election by campaigning only on a peaceful platform.
Signed: Davies Chama
Patriotic Front Secretary General
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