UPND inspired bus stoppage condemned
BUS drivers inspired by UPND are plotting to disrupt business and public order in Lusaka today by crippling the commuter transport system.
But police are aware of the scheme and have warned the trouble-makers that the law will visit them should they go ahead with their planned mischief.
The drivers want to cause commotion by forcing others to park their buses for flimsy reasons.
According to a driver who has been actively involved in the planning of the operation, the aim is to foment public anger and influence residents to rise against the government by inconveniencing commuters.
He said crippling the public transport system is part of the UPND’s larger regime change crusade.
Insiders have said that the UPND has mobilised a group of known public service vehicle drivers whom it is using to incite other colleagues to boycott work and disrupt the transport sector across the country starting with Lusaka.
According to flyers being circulated around the capital city, whose printing is reported to have been funded by the UPND, public bus driver inclined to the opposition party have ordered other drivers to park their buses.
They are doing this under the pretext of alleged interference by the Patriotic Front (PF) in the running of bus stations and markets in the country.
“In the last one month the planning meetings have been frequent chaired by senior UPND officials. During our meetings they have been saying that the PF is too strong in bus stations and markets and therefore the UPND should start by weakening the ruling party in those facilities,” the driver, who asked not to be identified for security reasons, said.
“This whole operation is being directed from the UPND secretariat. They are so desperate that they are not even concerned about the security of the innocent drivers they are inciting to park buses,” he said.
But Lusaka Province Commissioner of Police Nelson Phiri has warned the drivers to desist from taking part in anything that would result in the breach of peace.
Mr Phiri said the police would not hesitate to pounce on drivers who would participate in the illegality.
He said in an interview yesterday the police would not allow the drivers to engage in any protest because they had not notified the security wing on their planned protest as the law required.
“If they do not listen to the advice we shall meet in the battlefield because we do not want any lawlessness,” Mr Phiri said.
He said the police were not aware of any planned protest and, therefore, those who would be involved would face the wrath of the law.
And PF Lusaka provincial secretary Kennedy Kamba has urged the police to ensure law and order is observed and bring to book culprits who are causing violence and confusion in the transport sector to book.
He said schemes by the UPND leadership to bring confusion in the operations of the public service vehicles and the whole transport sector were ridiculous, insensitive and criminal because they amounted to economic sabotage.
Mr Kamba said the protest organised by the opposition party was aimed at inciting people to rise against the government of the day and had nothing to do with trying to tackle any challenges.
He said the issue of interference in bus stations and markets had been dealt with by Government, including PF secretary general Davies Mwila who came out strongly and encouraged the police to bring to book individuals who were claiming that they were collecting money from buses on behalf of the party.