Lusaka, Zambia - Police have detained Zambia’s opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema in Livingstone, Southern Province, to help with investigations following the death of Harrison Chanda, an official of the ruling Patriotic Front (PF).
Chanda, who was PF Monze District Chairman, was killed on Monday allegedly during a clash between PF and UPND cadres in Livingstone, where political parties are campaigning ahead of Thursday’s parliamentary by-election.
Police have so far arrested 17 people in connection with Chanda's death, including two UPND MPs, Garry Nkombo and Request Mutanga, as well as Hichilema’s special adviser Douglas Siakalima.
Police said Hichilema would be charged with several criminal offences, including proposing violence.
UPND has described the arrest of its leader as well as senior officials as an act intended to intimidate voters in Livingstone, a UPND stronghold, ahead of the by-election.
Pana 28/02/2013