• UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema (with microphone) addresses supporters after leaving Ndola Central Police Station yesterday where he was summoned for questioning. Picture by CHRISTABEL CHIWILA .

By STEPHANIE KUNDA –
UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema has been warned and cautioned by Police in Ndola, while 18 of his suspected supporters were detained for conduct likely to cause the breach of peace during yesterday’s interrogation.
Business on most roads near the Ndola Central Police Station was slowed after Police barricaded about a 100-metre radius from the Police to ensure there were no disturbances during the questioning of Mr Hichilema over his alleged utterances on the sale of the Zambia Forestry and Forest Industries Corporation (ZAFFICO).
People and traffic had to find alternative routes to avoid the blocked perimeters near the Police, while some shops remained open but with caution to any sign of confusion.
Copperbelt Police Chief Charity Katanga who confirmed the development after the interrogation from 09:00 hours to 13:00 hours yesterday, said Mr Hichilema had been warned and cautioned subject to words uttered during an interview on a local radio station – Sun FM.
“Well, there is a difference between a warning and cautioning and a charge. Mr Hichilema has been warned and cautioned contrary to Section 57 (1) (b) as well as Section 60 (f) cap 87 of the Laws of Zambia which deals with sedition and seditious practices,” she said.
Ms Katanga said Mr Hichilema during interviews on Sun FM Radio in Ndola and other parts of the country indicated that ZAFFICO had been sold when in fact not, which was allegedly alarming as it caused riotous behaviour as well as xenophobic conduct against some foreign nationals.
“His conduct saw riots in Kitwe on the November 5, where 117 people were arrested and are appearing for various offences, including riot and malicious damage as well as damage to buildings and theft of property worth K 11,000 which was recovered,” she said.
She said Mr Hichilema was warned that he should stop false statements that might alarm the public and cause them to riot.
She said that a caution preceded an arrest and he would be called again at an appropriate time, but for now he had been allowed to go and ensure that he tamed his tongue and cadres.
Ms Katanga assured the Chinese community that they would be protected by the Police on the Copperbelt stating that Police would follow with keen interest political leaders that issued unsubstantiated claims which could cause anarchy.
She said that 18 suspected UPND cadres, 17 men and one woman, were detained yesterday.
Mr Hichilema after the interrogation said the process was done professionally and thanked all his supporters for the support shown.
“We are going back home now and thank you for your support … the Media and obviously through you the people of Zambia for the support. We shall all be there for them always day time and night time and in difficult times,” Mr Hichilema said.
Mr Hichilema paid tribute to all who had escorted him for the support stating that it was not easy to walk through the Police station, especially with an individual that had been called to be interrogated.
“The issue is not about being scared it is about standing for the people of Zambia and the people of the region. So when you stand for people you should not be scared,” he said.
He was accompanied by his vice-president, Geoffrey Mwamba and National Democratic Congress consultant Chishimba Kambwili.