UPND shocked by tear-gassing of MMD meeting in Lundazi

The opposition UPND is shocked and appalled by the reported tear-gassing of an in door meeting MMD President Nevers Mumba was chairing on Friday yesterday in Lundazi Eastern Province.

The UPND is particularly shocked that the teargas canister was thrown by a police officer who is supposed to be trained in handling such deadly weapons.

Charles Kakoma

The UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma says his party finds it to be criminal and is calling upon the Police command to take appropriate disciplinary measures against the said officer and his supervisors.

In a statement to Qfm News Mr, Kakoma states that this is because such an act by the police officer is a gross violation of freedoms and democratic rights.

Mr. Kakoma says such behavior should not have any place in a democratic Country like Zambia.

He says for the fact that Dr Mumba was addressing an indoor meeting, which does not require a police notification it was illegal for the police to disrupt the peaceful meeting.

Mr. Kakoma is of the view that Dr. Mumba can in this case even sue the Police for criminal trespass.

He notes that as party that has been receiving such unwarranted force repeatedly UPND sympathizes with the MMD and offers its support to any calls for redress.

Mr. Kakoma states that the UPND also calls for reform of the Public Order Act.

He says it has become clear that for as long as it remains in its current form the party in power will use it to try and justify all sorts of repression and authoritarian behavior.