- Mr Katuka said the claims of mercenaries being in the country were part of a grand scheme by the Patriotic Front (PF) to tarnish the image of UPND.
By AARON CHIYANZO
THE United Party for National Development (UPND) has nothing to do with the reported mercenaries alleged to be on a mission to cause havoc ahead of the 2021 General election, party secretary general Stephen Katuka has said.
Mr Katuka said the claims of mercenaries being in the country were part of a grand scheme by the Patriotic Front (PF) to tarnish the image of UPND.
This follows revelations by Home Affairs minister, Stephen Kampyongo that a team of foreign nationals had allegedly been engaged by UPND to cause havoc ahead of the 2021 General election.
Mr Katuka however said in an interview that if there was indeed presence of mercenaries in Zambia, then they were in the country at the invitation of PF.
He said UPND did not have anything to do with the reported mercenaries and was not even aware of their presence.
Mr Katuka said Mr Kampyongo should show the Zambian people where the mercenaries were, saying he was the one aware of their presence.
“That is the problem of having a cadre in office as minister. He is just busy making political statements without any evidence. UPND does not know of any mercenaries, if they are there then they were brought by PF,” he said. Mr Kampyongo has since ordered the alleged foreign mercenaries to leave the country immediately.
Mr. Kampyongo said security authorities would have no choice but to hound out the foreign mercenaries if they fail to heed his directive to leave the country.
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