By SANFROSSA MANYINDA and SIMON MUNTEMBA
POLICE have instituted investigations in the matter where some Patriotic Front (PF) cadres while fighting one another, injured a Police officer and smashed a police motor vehicle at the party secretariat. Meanwhile, PF Lusaka Province Chairperson Kennedy Kamba has said the party in Lusaka has no grudge against Innocent Kalimanshi or any member who went astray and are ready to embrace them as long as they are repentant.
Mr Kamba said the party was ready to make peace with Kalimanshi provided he was remorseful and apologised for having insulted the PF leadership. His remarks follows the confusion that characterized the return of former National Democratic Congress president Chishimba Kambwili back to Patriotic Front when Mr Kalimanshi clashed with other PF cadres.
The commotion ensued when Mr Kalimanshi, a self-proclaimed PF Commander forced his way into the PF Secretariat immediately Mr Kambwili entered and the furious cadres pounced on him before Mr Kamba whisked him away into the building. Police Spokesperson Esther Katongo said police would not rest until it brings the perpetrators to book and warned all those that took part in the violence to begin counting their days. ” As police we shall not condone any form of violence and if anyone will be found to have participated in yesterday’s violence, they shall be dealt with in accordance with the law,” Ms Katongo said.
According to Ms Katongo, this occurred when police officers responded to a report that some Patriotic Front cadres had descended on Innocent Kalimanshi who had gone to the secretariat where the party had a political activity. She said police who rushed to the scene had their motor vehicle smashed in the process of whisking Kalimanshi away.
She said the cadres begun throwing stones at the Police Vehicle and one officer was injured on the jaw before they damaged Mr Kalimanshi’s motor vehicle. A visibly unhappy Mr Kamba said all members especially youths in Lusaka were ready to bury their differences and forgive Mr Kalimanshi if he apologised for having insulted the party leadership.
