By JONATHAN MUKUKA –
NAKONDE border in Muchinga Province has been closed following the confusion that erupted at Tunduma in Tanzania where police fought running battles with the residents.
Supporters of the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) and the opposition Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema) fought running battles with the police from 9:00 hours yesterday over a disputed piece of land.
Muchinga Province Permanent Secretary Bright Nundwe confirmed the closure of the border in an interview in Chinsali.
Authorities closed the border at 09:00 hours yesterday when the situation became volatile on the Tanzanian side.
Mr Nundwe said police officers at Nakonde border have since been put on high alert to ensure that the confusion does not spread to the Zambian side of the border.
Sporadic gunfire could be heard on the Tanzanian side as the factions continued their battles into the night.
Tanzanian authorities also closed the border on their side in the morning following the political violence.
The permanent secretary said the flow of traffic headed into Zambia was affected and tankers carrying petroleum products were restricted to about 10 kilometers from the border, to prevent them from being gutted in the fracas.
As at 12:00 hours, more than 500 trucks and 100 small vehicles were marooned on the Tanzanian side of the border, stretching to more than 8 kilometres on the roads from Mbeya, and Sumba Wanga to the border.
He said fuel tankers carrying fuel to Zambia would, however, be given first priority to cross once calm returns to the border town.
Scores of cross border traders have been stranded with some of them failing to buy merchandise as most of the shops in Tunduma were closed for fear of being looted in the ensuing confusion.
Mr Nundwe appealed to all the Zambians to be calm as there was peace on the Zambian side, where security had been tightened.
It is believed that an opposition political party planned to build a big hospital at the border town and the Tanzanian Government also planned to build a similar structure on the same piece of land. – ZANIS
