MONZE DC FLEES FOR SAFETY

…As UPND cadres harass State officials

MONZE District Commissioner Cyprian Hamanyanga was at the weekend bullied and harassed into abandoning his official vehicle for fear of being beaten by suspected United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres who had taken over “security” for the district.

UPND cadres at the weekend took over the overall running of activities in Monze under the guise of providing

security for their leader, Mr Hakainde Hichilema. Mr Hamanyanga, who is well known in the district, had to make a hasty retreat out of Monze leaving his official car behind for fear of an attack from UPND “security” that had taken over the district.

Mr Hamanyanga was approached at Kobil Filing Station by a UPND notorious group known as “Zaire One” led by a man known as “Commander.” The group approached Mr Hamanyanga with intentions to deflate his tyres and upon realising their mission, he fled and parked his vehicle at the council lodge.

The incident happened between 17:00 and 18:00 hours.

He told the Daily Nation that he had to leave Monze for Mazabuka for his own safety.

The same group that attacked Father Bwalya at Sky FM last year is the same one that took over Monze “security” at the weekend. Mr Hamanyanga’s attempt to attend the ceremony in his personal capacity was thwarted when he realised that as a well known government offcial, he was an easy target.

All government vehicles were conspicuously absent on the roads for fear of being targeted by the illegal security wing.

The cadres, believed to have been ferried from Lusaka showed no mercy to anyone driving a government vehicle on public roads.

Those perceived to be PF members especially the local leadership was on target.

This included government officials who wanted to attend the ceremony in their own capacity as subjects under Chief Monze.

Southern Province Police commissioner Bonny Kapeso said he was not aware of the development as he was out of the country. He referred all queries to Lusaka headquarters.

Meanwhile, Monze UPND Member of Parliament Jack Mwimbu claimed that the people of Southern Province were not sleeping when Mr Hichilema was arrested.

Mr. Mwimbu said this when he was called to invite Mr Hichilema, the patron of Lwiindi ceremony to the podium to speak.