By ANDREW MUKOMA
MEMBERS of the Socialist Party in Livingstone have accused the UPND of being perpetrators of violence and intimidation the country has witnessed in the past weeks.
They have labelled the UPND of being a violent party following its adopted parliamentary and mayoral candidates’ decision to snub the signing of peace accord by political parties.
The signing of peace accord was organized by the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) to compel competing parties to promote a peaceful campaign.
However, the non-availability of UPND members at the event did not go well with Socialists Party members who were in attendance.
The SP members led by adopted parliamentary and mayoral candidates Aggrey Brill and Namasiku Situmbeko branded the UPND of being a violent party.
“It is unacceptable for the UPND to shun this important event. They are the major culprits of political violence,” Martin Mwangala said.
“There is no way that the leadership of the UPND and its candidates can all be busy at the same time. Let them own up and stop this behaviour,” he added.
But UPND district chairman for politics, Kelly Aongola, who turned up late tendered an apology on behalf of the candidates and party leadership saying that they had a party commitment.
Mr Aongola said, his party acknowledges the importance of peace during and after elections and committed his party to the peace accord.
However, his apology and explanation did not go well with other political parties that were present.
