.MWAMBA

By NORMA SIAME –

RIVAL supporters of former defence minister Geoffrey Mwamba and civil rights activist Kelvin Sampa yesterday clashed in Kasama leaving some with injuries.
The pro-GBM group charged that Mr Sampa’s donations were not in good faith and were actually an undercover campaign for the Kasama Central parliamentary seat, an accusation Mr Sampa vehemently denies.
Police have since arrested three people following the clash that almost brought business to a halt.
Mr Mwamba’s supporters in a convoy of more than 20 vehicles went round the central business district honking, in an apparent displeasure over Mr Sampa’s charity work in Kasama.
Mr Sampa, who has for some time now been working with the underprivileged in Kasama and making donations to various causes denied campaigning for political office.
“My coming here to work has nothing political attached to it. I have worked in other areas of the country and have never experienced what I have gone through here today,” he said shortly after leaving the police station.
The confrontation between the two groups came to a head after Mr Mwamba’s supporters allegedly blocked Mr Sampa’s motorcade which was on its way to Chilubula Mission.
Passengers in a grey Toyota Prado that was part of Mr Sampa’s entourage were beaten by a growing mob as police officers forcibly directed the driver of the car to the police station.
A spokesperson of the pro-Mwamba group Jack Simutenda, however, gave a different version of events alleging Mr Sampa’s group attacked first.
“We wanted to go to the police so they could allow us to ask what Mr Sampa is doing going round Kasama donating staff with his branded cars. Is he campaigning? We want to know,” he said.
Police clad in riot gear intervened as members of the public scampered for safety.
Business almost came to a standstill.
Mr Sampa said in an interview that he met Mr Mwamba popularly known as GBM, at a funeral in Lusaka where the latter encouraged him to continue with his spirit of helping the underprivileged.
“Am surprised that today, people claiming to be supporters of Mr Mwamba could block my motorcade and cause such havoc as witnessed today. I have come to help the needy in an area I hail from.
“This is my home. For him (Mr Mwamba) to encourage me to continue with my work then just see his supporters do what they did today is like someone eating their own vomit,” Mr Sampa said.
Northern Province deputy police chief Milner Muyambango said he would issue a comprehensive statement at an appropriate time while Mr Mwamba’s phone went unanswered.