UPND’s notorious gang leader nabbed

Mon, 03 Apr 2017 10:49:14 +0000

… after UPND cadres went on rampage, killing one person and brutalising a woman

POLICE in Lusaka yesterday arrested the notorious gang leader of UPND “foot soldiers” Innocent Kalimashi who commandeered a 100-man squad which attempted to repel police officers at the Twashuka grounds in Kanyama to pave way for the party’s illegal rally.

Meanwhile, suspected UPND cadres yesterday brutally murdered a 20-year-old man who was stabbed to death at Mbasela market in the same area after police had dispersed the cadres who attempted to besiege Twashuka grounds.

Over a week ago, the UPND notified the police of its intention to hold a rally at Kanyama’s Twashuka grounds and Lusaka Province Commissioner of Police Nelson Phiri advised the party not to go ahead with the rally due to the unstable security situation in the city, but UPND defied.

Yesterday, police deployed officers to the supposed venue of the rally to prevent the UPND from going ahead with their planned rally and monitor the security situation to ensure that there were no clashes but Kalimashi organised a battalion of about 100 cadres and went to Twashuka grounds to confront the police officers with the aim of forcing them out to pave way for the rally.

A scuffle ensued between the “foot soldiers” and the police but the cadres were subdued, forcing them to scamper for safety but Kalimashi and another unnamed cadre were apprehended in the process and locked up.

Police public relations officer Esther Mwaata Katongo confirmed the development in a statement yesterday

“We did deploy our officers in the area to monitor the situation which we can confirm to have been calm except for a group of about 100 suspected UPND cadres who wanted to dare the deployed police officers by conducting an unlawful procession in Kanyama proceeding to Twashuka grounds. “When the group was approached by police, the cadres scampered and police managed to apprehend two who are yet to be charged. One of the arrested is identified as Innocent Kalimashi,” Ms. Katongo said.

Meanwhile, suspected UPND cadres yesterday brutally murdered a 20-year-old man who was stabbed to death at Mbasela market while another survived lynching after a plank was used to beat him.

Ms. Katongo named the deceased as Stephen Kalipa and the brutalised woman as Bertha Zuze aged 21, of the same compound.

“We received a report of murder in which Stephen Kalipa aged 20 years is reported to have been stabbed with a knife by an unknown person suspected to have been among UPND cadres. This happened at about 12:00 hours at Mbasela Market after police dispersed the group that had an unlawful procession.

“The victim who was rushed to UTH was pronounced dead upon arrival. We also received another report in which Bertha Zuze aged 21 also of Kanyama compound was assaulted by suspected UPND,” she said

And police threw teargas canisters to disperse the crowd that mobilised itself in the afternoon and attempted to go to Twashuka grounds. However, the situation was brought under control as calm had returned to the area by 17:00 hrs.