UPND CADRES ATTACK YALI BOSS
SUSPECTED UPND cadres yesterday roughed up Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) governance advisor Isaac Mwanza for criticising their party on radio.
According sources who witnessed the fracas, suspected UPND cadres waylaid the civic leader who was on a Radio Phoenix programme in the morning.
The cadres became infuriated after Mr. Mwanza said there is no intraparty democracy in the UPND and further challenged the party to hold a convention to elect new leaders ahead of the 2021 general elections.
YALI Executive Director Andrew Nthewewe confirmed the development to Millennium Radio. Mr Nthewewe explained that the cadres were incensed by calls by YALI a few days ago, for the UPND to uphold intra-party democracy and elect new leaders, arguing that Mr Hakainde Hichilema has overstayed at the helm of the party. Mr Nthewewe said Mr Mwanza was roughed up and threatened after appearing on a Radio Phoenix programme in the morning.
A few days ago YALI questioned the rationale of UPND not going for interparty democracy and allowing their president to continue at the helm after losing five times, and even saying he will contest elections as long he lives.
Mr Nthewewe said YALI remains committed to ensuring that not only the political party in government is held accountable but all the parties that are aspiring to lead the country.
The UPND cadres warned Mr. Mwanza against talking about the leadership of the UPND in particular, Mr Hichilema.
When contacted for a comment, UNPD spokesperson Charles Kakoma could neither deny nor confirm the incident.
He claimed it was difficult for him to tell if the suspected cadres are indeed supporters of the UPND.