. Shakafuswa
By SYLVESTER MWALE in Kaoma –
UNITED Party for National Development (UPND) Katuba Member of Parliament Jonas Shakafuswa has been arrested for allegedly assaulting six Patriotic Front (PF) cadres during campaigns ahead of the Mangango by-election tomorrow.
Mr Shakafuswa, who is currently detained at Kaoma Police Station, is said to have raided the PF camp at Mwanambuyu Primary School in Namafulo Ward where some party officials were staying and assaulted some of the cadres.
Western Province Police Commissioner Lombe Kamukoshi confirmed the arrest of Mr Shakufuswa in Kaoma yesterday.
Ms Kamukoshi said the opposition MP had been charged with assault and malicious damage after he beat up the six cadres and damaged property during the fracas.
“We have arrested Mr Shakafuswa and he is currently in police custody and is facing charges of assault and malicious damage to property,” Ms Kamukoshi said.
Mr Shakafuswa’s arrest comes two days after Vice-President Guy Scott accused UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema of fanning violence in Mangango.
PF campaign manager Obvious Mwaliteta said the violent situation in the area had worsened from the time Mr Hichilema and Mr Shakafuswa arrived to campaign for their candidate.
“Mr Shakafuswa and Mr Hichilema have been at the centre of all the violence, they are not like their friends such as Garry Nkombo, who is campaigning peacefully,” Mr Mwaliteta said.
“He raided our camp in Namafulo yesterday with his cadres and started beating our members. Unfortunately, even innocent villagers were beaten up and as I talk to you, they have fled the village.”
Mr Mwaliteta said the PF had been campaigning peacefully and was by yesterday, with the help of the police, trying to ensure that people returned to the village.
UPND national coordinator Batuke Imenda also confirmed Mr Shakafuswa’s arrest.
Later, Western Province Deputy Police Commissioner Lackson Sakala, who is currently in Kaoma, said the situation was under control.
Mr Sakala said officers were on the ground to thwart any potential violence and assured that peace would prevail tomorrow as people cast their ballot.
