By KETRA KALUNGA
IT is pure thuggery for political party cadres to torture those they perceive to be enemies, the Council of Churches in Zambia (CCZ) has said.
The country has witnessed incidents of political violence alleged to be perpetrated by the UPND cadres after their party’s victory in the August 12 general elections.
But CCZ general secretary, Emmanuel Chikoya, said in an interview that those deliberately inflicting pain on others were criminals and should be arrested before they cause havoc in the nation.
Father Chikoya described their behaviour as unacceptable and unjustified and that law enforcement agencies should bring the culprits to book.
“Those are just criminals, we should not beat about the bush, they are criminals and they should be arrested period. There is nothing like revenge or whatever,” he said.
Fr Chikoya said CCZ would soon issue a comprehensive statement regarding its option on the matter.
And the UPND Alliance recently issued a statement condemning the recent incidents of political violence, particularly where a police officer was assaulted at Lusaka’s Luburma Market.
Spokesperson Leslie Chikuse said the alliance would not support violence.
