POLICE CAPTURE UPND ‘MILITIA’

By SIMON MUNTEMBA A NUMBER of offensive weapons and military uniforms have been recovered from 41 UPND cadres after being rounded up at night by the Police from their hideout in Lusaka’s Kanyama compound. Police officers conducted an operation on Friday night following the gruesome murder of two Patriotic Front members by thugs believed to be UPND cadres who followed them at their camp house as they were preparing meals and having lunch. Inspector General of Police, Kakoma Kanganja said the two PF members identified as Danny Chingangu and another victim only identified as Teddy both of unknown house numbers in Kanyama Compound were gruesomely murdered after being attacked by suspected UPND cadres. Mr Kanganja said the raid was conducted at night and 41 UPND cadres were rounded up with several offensive weapons seized from them. “Following the murder of two PF members by the UPND cadres, police last night and this morning raided some areas in Lusaka where 41 people so far have been picked up and a number of offensive weapons recovered which include machetes, catapults, knives and military uniforms amongst other items,” Mr Kanganja said.  Meanwhile, Police deputy spokesperson Danny Mwale said the Police have noted with horror, the grisly murder of two PF members by thugs believed to be UPND cadres. In a statement, Mr Mwale said what happened in Kanyama Compound signified how some political parties have embraced thuggery as a way of conducting politics.  “Police received a report from members of the public around 16:30 hours that two people had been killed at the Patriotic Front camp located at Kanyama ward 13 along Mbasela road within Kanyama Compound. Police rushed to the scene and dispersed the cadres and found two  bodies of male persons.  “It was reported that PF party members were preparing meals and having lunch at their camp when a group of suspected UPND cadres attacked them with machetes and other sharp instruments,” Mr Mwale said. He said the victims sustained multiple deep cuts all over their bodies and died instantly. He said four suspects identified as Francis Chabala aged 21, Samson Mumba aged 29, Namushi Chikunona (female) aged 24 and Geoffrey Chikoti age not known were arrested and detained in Police custody, while the victims’ bodies were  deposited into the University Teaching Hospital Mortuary awaiting postmortem. Mr Mwale who said investigations were ongoing warned that all those that took part in the savagery killings would be brought to book. “It is disappointing that lives of people have to be lost just because of politics. Such kind of desperation shall not be condoned. This is unprecedented brutality bordering on sheer savagery and lack of respect for human life. Such criminality shall not be tolerated,” he said. Recently PF media director, Antonio Mwanza disclosed that the UPND was recruiting 60, 000 youths as militias to cause havoc after the outcome of the forthcoming elections.