HICHILEMA

By JULIUS PHIRI-
POLICE in Eastern Province have curtailed public meetings by United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema.
This action has led to Mr Hichilema and his entourage to cut short their stay in the province.
Police officers were instructed by the provincial command to ensure that the UPND president left the province.
Eastern Province Police chief Grace Chipalila yesterday confirmed the departure of Mr Hichilema from Eastern Province.
Ms Chipalila said the opposition leader was not given a go-ahead after he notified the police about his planned meetings in some districts of Eastern Province.
She said police could not allow the public meetings in places where there were pending parliamentary by-elections because they could have gone against the Electoral Code of Conduct.
“I don’t know who gave him a go-ahead to continue holding meetings in Eastern Province, but as far as I am concerned the police command didn’t allow the UPND to do that,” Ms Chipalila said.
However, UPND deputy spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa accused the police of acting in an unprofessional manner.
Mr Mweetwa said it was unfortunate that the police had decided to curtail Mr Hichilema’s visit to Eastern Province.
He said the opposition should be allowed to carry out their duty of offering checks and balances through the holding of public meetings.
“It is high time the police started showing maturity by respecting all political parties,” Mr Mweetwa said.
He said police should promote integrity by applying the law accordingly instead of violating the rights of the Zambian people.
On Monday, police in riot gear fired teargas canisters to disperse a crowd of UPND supporters who were waiting to be addressed by Mr Hichilema in Mambwe District.
On Sunday, police stopped a public meeting which was being addressed by Mr Hichilema in the same district.
Parliamentary by-elections are due to be held in Malambo Constituency in Mambwe, Petauke Central in Petauke District, Kasenengwa Constituency in Chipata District, and Vubwi Constituency in Vubwi District.
The courts are yet to determine whether Dora Siliya (Petauke Central), Maxwell Mwale (Malambo), Victoria Kalima (Kasenengwa) and Eustarckio Kazonga (Vubwi) are eligible to contest again after their seats were nullified owing to corrupt practices during the 2011 general elections.