Sun, 29 Oct 2017 10:11:10 +0000
…as irate PF cadres pounce on him
By Aaron Chiyanzo
POLICE yesterday averted a confrontation between expelled Patriotic Front (PF) senior member, Chishimba Kambwili and party cadres at the Presidential burial site in Lusaka.
Mr Kambwili was among the hundreds of people who had gathered at the Cathedral of the Child Jesus to celebrate the life of former President, Michael Sata, and there after proceeded to Embassy Park for the laying of wreaths.
At the end of the Ceremony, irate PF cadres, while chanting anti-Kambwili slogans stormed the Presidential burial site from nowhere as Mr Kambwili was about leave the premises.
Alert police officers however immediately closed the gate, the cadres pushed on, trying to force their way in to deal with the fear- gripped, Mr Kambwili.
The cadres and the police were engaged in a tag of war, with the officers trying to push the gate as the angry hoard also pushed on the other side.
The Roan constituency lawmaker, just stood there in shock, fearing for his life as the police were securing a safe passage for him.
Efforts by Mandevu Member of Parliament (MP), Jean Kapata to calm the crowd were largely ignored as the angry mob was bent on teaching Mr Kambwili a lesson.
Mr Kambwili, who remained quiet and following police instructions was escorted to his car by armed officers, with the help of PF youth leaders as cadres were still trying to strike him. “Today we just have to beat you, we have tolerated your nonsense for way too long. Today you will cry for insulting our President, how dare you even show up here?” the cadres chanted.
For a big man, Mr Kambwili managed to move with agility to his scar under police car.
Mr Kambwili’s vehicle was also almost smashed by the cadres as he was spirited away at high speed from the venue.
Earlier, Mr Kambwili told journalist that all Zambians should inculcate in them a spirit of unity and reconciliation to uphold President Sata’s legacy.
Meanwhile, PF media director Sunday Chanda said that no one sent the youths to harass Mr Kambwili and that the general public should dismiss insinuations being spread on social media that the youths were sent by the party leadership.
Mr Chanda explained that on a day such as yesterday, “all Party members are under instructions from the leadership of the Party to conduct themselves in a manner befitting the great memory of our Party founding leader”.
He reiterated that the Roan constituency lawmaker attended the memorial Church service without any incident against him whatsoever, and that it was unfortunately, he had confrontations at the memorial park.
“Those who have watched the video circulating on social media will attest to the fact that besides the state police, it is the PF members, among them PF Lusaka Province Youth Secretary Stanley Chumya protecting Hon Kambwili and ensuring his safe passage to the vehicle,” said Mr Chanda.
Mr Chanda emphasized that PF had always condemned any form of violence irrespective of who the perpetrators were.
