UPND NORTH BOSS, 14 OTHERS ARRESTED

...Pangas, other weapons recovered

UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) Northern Province chairperson Nathan Ilunga has been arrested together with 14 suspected members of a gang of armed cadres that allegedly attacked a Patriotic Front candidate.

The suspected thugs allegedly ambushed the PF candidate and his supporters in Muchinga Province as they were on their way to file nomination papers for a local government by-election.

Police arrested the 15 UPND members in Shiwang’andu for being in possession of offensive weapons.

Muchinga Province Commissioner of Police Joel Njase said Mr Ilunga and his group allegedly blocked the PF candidate forcing him to run into the bush fearing for his life.

It took police several hours to search for, find and escort the candidate to the nomination centre.

Mr Njase named the suspects as Mr Ilunga, 65, of Mukulumpe Compound in Kasama, UPND Northern Province vice secretary Lazarous Chongo, 60, of Bwembya Village and provincial youth chairman Justin Mumbi, 46, of Central Town, Kasama.

Others are provincial youth coordinator John Simfukwe, 30, of Location compound, provincial vice chairperson Patrick Chanda, 47, of Jazzy Compound, Hostern Kalimweo, 18, of Chisanga Compound, a cadre and district youth trustee Henry Mukuka, 35, of Chisanga Compound.

Others are Lewis Chilufya, 21, of Location Compound, Kasama, Victor Sikapizye 20 of Location compound-Kasama, a cadre, Sunkutu Chimwemwe aged 20 of Winiberg, of Kasama and Bwalya Kelvin, 28, of Mumbai Compound. All are from Kasama. Mr Njase said the suspects were found with six catapults, two small chains, two machetes, one knife, a streamer (teaser gun), two bearing books and Congo dust (powder).

“The attack occurred on Thursday at about 13:00 hours at Lukaka Village in Chief Kabanda’s area of Shiwang’andu in which Alex Simwela, 71, who is the PF provincial party chairman, reported that they were blocked on the road as they were escorting the PF Mayembe Ward candidate to lodge his nomination papers by suspected UPND cadres, who were using a Toyota Hilux registration number ALZ 2719 driven by Nathan ILunga,” Mr Njase said.

He said the 15 suspects had been detained and that the vehicle had been impounded.

Mr Njase said police in Shiwang’andu had also arrested five suspected UPND cadres for conduct likely to cause breach of peace.

He named them as Joseph Mwansa, 32, Alex Sakala, 28, of Kasama, Anthony Kangwa, 32, Chishimba Mpundu, 20, and Andrew Saulo, 31, all of Kasama.

Mr Njase said the suspects reportedly blocked PF Mayembe Ward candidate who run into the bush.