By Sam Phiri

. WINA

NINE people in Lusaka were yesterday injured and rushed to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) after United Party for National Development (UPND) and Patriotic Front (PF) youths clashed as they prepared to take part in a march-past during Youth Day celebrations graced by Vice-President Inonge Wina.
Police fired teargas canisters to disperse the unruly youths who were seen exchanging punches, tearing and burning each other’s party regalia
Some of the victims were injured as they tried to run away from the teargas and the confusion perpetuated by the rowdy cadres.
UTH spokesperson Mwenya Mulenga confirmed having received nine people injured in the fracas, and said eight of them were seen and discharged afterwards while the one who was admitted was in a stable condition.
Lusaka Province Police chief Nelson Phiri said no arrests were made, but investigations had been launched.
Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) executive director Boniface Cheembe condemned the violence, stating that it was not right for political parties to cause such confusion on a day that was supposed to be celebrated peacefully.
“As SACCORD we condemn what happened at the Freedom Statue in the strongest terms and we are calling on the leaders of the two parties to equally condemn such violence,” he said.
Mr Cheembe called on the law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate the matter and ensure that the perpetrators were traced and brought to book.
He said the manner in which the top two political parties were currently conducting their politics was a danger to national security.
“Politics should not be used as a vehicle to injure people or to destroy property; it must be a vehicle to find long-lasting solutions to the challenges facing the youths and the nation at large,” Mr Cheembe said.