IRATE UPND CADRES CHALLENGE POLICE

By ROGERS KALERO WE have given the police 48 hours to arrest PF supporters who beat up our cadres in Kitwe on Monday failure to which, we will pursue the culprits and deal with them, the UPND has warned. UPND Copperbelt youth chairman Daniel Kamenga, said the police were aware of the people who were involved in the assault of the UPND cadres in the city centre, but had not taken any action because the culprits were PF cadres. On Monday, some suspected PF cadres descended on the UPND members for allegedly campaigning in the city centre resulting into three opposition cadres suffering injuries. The three UPND members who even availed their medical reports during a media briefing in Cha-Cha-Cha Township yesterday were Justin Mulenga, Beatrice Bwalya and Mainess Chibwe. Mr Kamenga said they were disappointed at the slow pace at which the police were reacting on issues relating to the PF beating up UPND members “So, in this case, we would like to issue a 48-hour ultimatum to the police to arrest those who beat up UPND cadres or we will take it upon ourselves to deal with them,’’ Mr Kamenga said. But Copperbelt Commissioner of Police, Elias Chushi, said his officers were investigating the matter and would ensure that suspects were arrested. Mr Chushi was however disappointed that the UPND leaders had decided to rush to the media while they were also lodging a complaint at Kitwe Central Police Station. “What is surprising is that the UPND is issuing an ultimatum to the police, but at the same time they have gone to report the matter at Kitwe Central Police Station. There is a procedure to follow. And Kitwe District UPND youth chairman Bowas Kapata said youths were mobilising themselves to defend themselves in case of an attack from the PF.