By 
A planned campaign rally by independent aspiring Mazabuka Member of Parliament, Gary Nkombo, was on Sunday halted after a heavy deployment of police officers blocked the gathering at Ndeke Community Football Ground.
The rally, which was intended to officially launch Nkombo’s campaign, failed to take place after police ordered supporters and residents who had gathered at the venue to disperse.
Some attendees alleged that they were manhandled by police officers as they were being chased away from the grounds.
The situation later escalated into a confrontation between Mr Nkombo and police officers led by Mazabuka District Police Deputy Officer Commanding, Stable Chisonga, over the cancellation of the event.
Read more: Gary Nkombo resigns from UPND, cites assault, election law
Chisonga told Nkombo that he was not authorised to hold the rally at the designated venue because it was not included in his approved campaign schedule.
“According to the timetable, you are not supposed to be here but you should be in Nega Nega and the one in Nega Nega should be here or somewhere here,” Chisonga said.
In response, Nkombo produced what he said was an approved campaign timetable as well as a police permit authorising him to hold the rally.
However, police maintained their position and refused to allow the gathering to proceed.
Police officers argued that permitting the rally could create confusion and potentially disrupt public order.
The development follows an earlier warning by police that they would not permit the event to take place, citing concerns that it could spark confrontations and threaten peace in the district.
The controversy comes amid growing political tensions in Mazabuka following Mr Nkombo’s resignation from the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) and his decision to contest the parliamentary seat as an independent candidate.
Recently, UPND Secretary General, Batuke Imenda, advised party members in Mazabuka not to associate with Mr Nkombo following his departure from the party.
Imenda also accused the former Cabinet minister of allegedly planning to burn UPND regalia, an act he described as criminal.
Despite presenting documents he claimed authorised the gathering, Nkombo was unable to proceed with the rally, leaving supporters disappointed as police enforced the cancellation.
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