Leadership Movement alleges suspected UPND cadres behind abduction of its candidate in Mbabala by-elections

Leadership Movement (LM) party president, Dr. Richard Silumbe, has alleged that persons suspected to be members of the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) abducted his party’s candidate for the Manguza Ward by-election in Mbabala Constituency, Southern Province.

Silumbe alleged that UPND cadres also vandalised the candidate’s house and looted livestock and other property vital to his livelihood, including goats, pigs, and chickens.

In a statement issued in Lusaka, Silumbe claimed the incident was meant to intimidate the LM candidate and allow the UPND to run unopposed in the ward election.

“Now the UPND wants to go unopposed in Southern Province. They don’t want any political party in this area. They abducted our candidate during nominations; after that, they destroyed his house and looted everything — goats, pigs, chickens, etc.,” Silumbe alleged.

He called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) and the Zambia Police to ensure accountability and uphold democratic principles in the electoral process.

Silumbe further accused UPND supporters of attacking and injuring LM officials and damaging campaign vehicles, actions he described as criminal and unacceptable.

“As if that was not enough, they have destroyed our campaign vehicles and severely assaulted our party officials. This is criminal behaviour and cannot be tolerated in a democracy,” he said.

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He demanded compensation from the UPND for medical expenses, lost property, and damage to campaign vehicles.

Silumbe expressed concern over what he termed the growing culture of political violence allegedly being perpetrated by the ruling party in Choma’s Manguza Ward, where only two political parties were participating in the by-election.

He further accused the UPND of fostering “chaos, anarchy, and hooliganism” instead of offering leadership and national unity.

“This is the same violence that led to the Patriotic Front losing power in 2021. Sadly, the UPND has turned out to be more violent and criminal than any party that has existed in Zambia,” Silumbe charged.

He called on Zambians to reject the ruling party, stating that President Hakainde Hichilema had failed to unite the nation and instead “spread division and entrenched backward politics.”

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