UPND to petition outcome of all local govt by-elections won by PF

The opposition UPND has announced intentions to petition the outcome of all 7 local government by-elections held on Tuesday which the ruling PF has won.

UPND Secretary General Stephen Katuka says his party is taking this action owing to the violence allegedly instigated by the ruling PF against its officials, members and electorates.

Mr. Katuka claims that in Lundazi, Eastern Province, for example, the ruling PF allegedly went as far as abducting UPND officials and maiming them leaving them half dead.

In a statement to Q-News Mr. Katuka has alleged that there were further atrocities and mayhem committed by PF cadres aided by the Zambia Police in Sesheke.

Mr. Katuka recounts in this mayhem however UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema and his entourage escaped assassination attempts when live ammunition were allegedly fired at them.

He states that the UPND is therefore taken aback by PF Secretary General Davies Mwila who has instead accused the UPND of having caused the violence witnessed in Sesheke.

Mr. Katuka says his party is however glad that Mr. Mwila agrees with it that political violence is one of the crisis the country is facing and must be addressed by the Church led National Dialogue.