ECZ to cancel Mulobezi by-election due to violence – UPND

SESHEKE area member of parliament Sianga Siyauya has asked the Electoral Commission of Zambia to cancel the Mulobezi by-election following the shooting of UPND cadre Mushaukwa Mushaukwa by a PF member.

 

Speaking at the Livingstone Central Hospital where he had gone to visit Mushaukwa, who was shot by PF secretary general Davies Chama’s driver Brian Nyoni and later knifed by PF cadres on Saturday, Siyauya said more UPND youths were headed for Mulobezi to beef up security ahead of the June 30 by-election.

“Personally as Mulobezi campaign manager, I feel that the elections should be closed, because my youths are not happy with what happened to their fellow youth; they wanted to retaliate; it’s only me who said ‘No; I am on police bond so you should not retaliate’. Otherwise, they are annoyed,” he said.

Siyauya suggested that the by-election be moved to next year because of insecurity and unprofessional conduct by the police.

“The elections need to be just stopped until 2016 because of what I have seen. I have been arrested but the shooter has not been arrested,” he said.

Siyauya said he was released by the police on Sunday around 18:00 hours and that he would be appearing in the Sesheke Magistrates’ Court next Monday.

And chatting with Siyauya from his hospital bed, Mushaukwa said he was geared to get back to Mulobezi on June 17.

Mushaukwa, apart from being shot at, was also stabbed on his left buttock and kicked several times by PF cadres in the presence of Chama.

He appealed to UPND cadres not to relent but soldier on to win the by-elections.

“I also appeal to our party and the members of parliament not to forsake us but look after us,” said Mushaukwa.

But Chama said his team defended itself when UPND cadres in Mulobezi, in a Boko Haram way, pursued them.