Police arrest M’membe in Serenje

Dr Fred M’membe

Police says it has arrested leader of the Socialist Party Fred M’membe following the political violence that happened yesterday during the campaigns between his Party and the ruling UPND.

The two parties are accusing each other of having attacked the other.

But Police in a statement below made available to Zambian Eye has confirmed arresting Dr M’membe and some members of his Party saying some UPND members fled and were being sought after.

April 9, 2023 – Police in Serenje District have arrested Socialist Party president Fred Mmembe for the offence of Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm.

Dr. Mmembe aged 64 of Rhodes Park in Lusaka has also been charged with the offence of Assault Occasioning Actual Bodly Harm (OABH) together with two other suspected Socialist Party members. They are all alleged to have assaulted nine suspected members of the United Party for National Development members.

Two suspected Socialist Party members also sustained injuries during the violence which occurred when the two political parties clashed while conducting their campaigns at four ways in Mwalilima and Kamalamba area of Serenje District in Central Province on April 8, 2023 between 14:00 hours and 16:30 hours.

All the suspects are detained in Police custody waiting to be formally charged while a manhunt has been launched for the suspected UPND members who fled the scene after assaulting the other two victims.

We call upon all political parties participating in the by-election in Serenje to exercise maximum restraint in order for the election to be peaceful.

We have since beefed up security in Serenje District in order to restore and maintain law and order.

Danny Mwale
Deputy Police Public Relations Officer