By: Ollus Ndomu
Less than 11 days to August 12 General elections, electoral violence has taken a new toll between the ruling Patriotic Front -PF- and the United Party for Nation Development -UPND- supporters in the capital Lusaka, forcing Republican President Edgar Lungu to deploy armed forces to curb the vice.
Speaking on Sunday in Mbala District, President Lungu who is also the candidate for the ruling party, said the happenings in the last 48 hours where PF and UPND supporters clashed in Lusaka leaving two PF supporters lifeless, make sad reading adding that the law will take its cause.
A president whose reign has lasted with political violence further said Defence Forces will help state police to maintain law and order in violence hotspot areas around Lusaka city.
“I have allowed other wings of the Defence Forces to join the Police in maintaining law and order in those points where we have experienced violence,” said Mr. Lungu.
In a related development, ruling party cadres have reportedly attacked their Matero constituency aspiring parliamentary candidate, Miles Sampa for failure to give them money during a campaign trail.
Local tabloids have reported that Mr. Sampa, a former Lusaka City Council Mayor was attacked on Sunday in late afternoons in Lusaka.
He has become the second high ranking politician to receive beatings from party’s trained to beat cadres following former Justice Minister, Given Lubinda who received his share three years ago.
The wave of political violence is gaining momentum ahead of next week’s elections in which Zambians will elect the country’s new president, lawmakers, councilors and council chairpersons including mayors.
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