By SIMON MUNTEMBA
THE UPND cadres who ambushed my convoy in Petauke on Monday evening are after my life, PF vice president Given Lubinda has charged.
Mr Lubinda said in an interview that he was a target for attacks by UPND cadres who publicly threatened him two weeks ago.
He confirmed that in what could be described as a well-orchestrated assassination attempt, his convoy was ambushed shortly after he appeared on a political radio programme at Petauke’s PASSME Radio by armed political cadres.
He said he was sure the people who attacked his convoy were UPND cadres because they were driving a vehicle registration number BAK 396 which belonged to some UPND officials campaigning in the area.
He explained that among the so many vehicles that were in the convoy, the assailants targeted the vehicle he was in.
“It is clear that the ambush was well planned, and not sporadic as they targeted the one I was in, among many vehicles that were in the convoy. They wanted to kill me just like they did to our North-Western Province chairperson Kungo,” Mr Lubinda lamented.
He said the thugs threw all sorts of man-made missiles, including stones at his vehicle, smashing the front and rear windscreens.
He said some passengers in his vehicle suffered minor injuries. He said it was disappointing that despite PF having reported threats by UPND two weeks ago, the police had done nothing, while the threats were now being actualised. He however vowed that he would not be silenced or leave Petauke until victory for the PF was secured in tomorrow’s by-elections.
Mr Lubinda has accused the UPND members of having resorted to violence and intimidation after sensing defeat.
Efforts to get both UPND spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa and Eastern Province chairperson Johabie Mtonga to comment, proved futile by press time.
Meanwhile, Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga has also confirmed that Mr Lubinda’s convoy was attacked.
Mr Hamoonga said in a statement that the Police recorded a report of malicious damage to property in which a motor vehicle Toyota Prado Registration Number BAD 2385, belonging to Mr Lubinda was smashed.
He said the Police were investigating.
