HH speaks out against violence and hatred

UPND presidential candidate Hakainde Hichilema has described the video showing a group of suspected UPND cadres beating up a helpless woman as shocking.

The opposition leader has offered to cooperate with the law enforcement officers and help bring the culprits to book regardless of whether they are members of his party or not.

A video depicting the violent incident has gone viral on social media since it first surfaced two days ago, with some people identifying the victim as Pamela Chanda, a PF cadre who is also a teacher in Sinazongwe district of Southern Province. Reports also say the victim has since died from her injuries.

But police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga says police have not received any official report of such an incident happening in Sinazongwe. He urged the victim or anyone connected to her to lodge a formal complaint at the nearest police station.

Below is Hichilema’s full statement:

The increase in the level of violence in the country since 2011 is deeply saddening. We now hear of violent attacks on a daily basis as perpetrators roam free.

The UPND has been strong in its condemnation of all acts of violence, regardless of provocation but shocking reports of a PF supporter being beaten and killed yesterday have compelled me to address this matter once again.

I want to be clear while there is room for everyone in the UPND family there is no room for violence or threatening behaviour.

Violence stands against everything we are as a party and everything we want for our great nation. It is abhorrent.

We call on our law enforcers, the police and the courts, to bring to justice all those guilty of attacking their fellow citizens, including those who shed blood just yesterday. If these reports are true then regardless of whether the perpetrators are UPND, PF or from any other party they must be held to account for the actions. We will cooperate in any way that we can to ensure that the culprits are brought to book.

With just 11 days until elections I want to appeal to every Zambian to come together and put an end to this terrible trend of increasing violence. Only together can we build a country we are proud of and a country our children feel safe in.