PF ACCUSES UPND FOR SPONSORING VOILENCE DURING THE RECENT LOCAL GOVERNMENT BY-ELECTIONS IN NORTH WESTERN PROVINCE.

By Anthony Tapa

Solwezi, North Western Province.

1 August 2020

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 Patriotic Front North Western Province Acting chairperson Koshita Shengamo has accused the United Party for National Development (UPND) of  sponsoring voilence during the recent local government by-elections in the province.

Mr Shengamo  told a media  briefing today that on 30 July 2020 in Nyoka ward Mr Dennis Kanyakula and Kasempa District chairperson Mr Japhet Njamba  including pf winning candidate Mr Chanda Kakonkanya were attacked at Kayefule polling station by UPND  cadres using catapults, Stones and sticks.

He adds that the violence perpetuated by the UPND had a blessing from it's leadership.

"The violence has a blessing from the UPND party hierarchy as the perpetrators were using Kasempa MP Brenda Tambatamba's motor vehicle, a grey Mazda BT 50. As of yesterday, the UPND  had continued  terrorizing the residents of Nyoka ward  even when the elections were over" he said.

"In Kabompo central  ward , the UPND stoned and broke  windows of the PF command center at Musamba  and also beat up a PF polling agent at Chiweza polling station" Shengamo added.

Mr Shengamo has condemned the acts of violence, adding that the PF will not subscribe to violence even when provoked.

He said that President Lungu has on several occasions condemned violence and the party is adhering to the directive  from the president.

"We as PF believe that there is no need to destibilise the peace that the country has enjoyed since Independence" Mr Shengamo said.

He has called upon all well-meaning  Zambians to condemn the violence being sponsored by the UPND.

 Meanwhile, Mr Shengamo has thanked the eletorates who participated in the recently held Local government by-elections in the seven wards in North Western Province.

"With their effort we managed to secure three out of the seven seats that were available for elections. This is job well done" Mr Shengamo said.

He said that the efforts being made is steady and building on the success of the party as it  moves towards the 2021 General Elections.

"Our performance in this round of the by-elections is rated at 43%. This is not a bad result as North Western Province which regarded as a UPND stronghold is slowly turning into a PF stronghold.

However, Shengamo has expressed disappointment for loosing to UPND in the other four wards.

he expected more from the results

 expressed delight that the part managed to scoop three sits out of the  seven local government sits that fall vacant in the province.

He says it is unindication that the province is slowly becoming not a UPND perceived stronghold.

And newly  elected Nyoka ward councilor Chanda Kakonkanya has thanked the people of Nyoka for voting for him.

He has also thanked the Patriotic Front leadership   for the support rendered to him during the  by-elections.

Mr Kakonkanya has the promised both the people in his ward and the party  that he will not disappoint them during his tenure.

Meanwhile, UPND North Western Province  Chairperson Gladson Katambi has described the recent Local Government by-elections as a victory for the opposition party.

"Despite the party facing numerous challenges during the campaigns, we managed to scoop four seats out of the seven seats" Katambi said.

He has thanked the electorates for the support during the campaigns and during elections.

The United Party for National Development scooped the Munyambala, Kabompo Central, Chikenge and Chavuma wards respectively and the ruling Patriotic Front scooped the Nyoka (Kasempa District), Lubofu(Kasempa District) and Litoya (Kabompo District) wards respectively.

The seats fail vancant following the resignation of death and resignation of councilors.

End///Tapa