24 October 2008
POLICE in Kasama have detained five Patriotic Front (PF) officials who impounded a Ministry of Health truck on suspicion that it was carrying ballot papers.
The five were detained yesterday for allegedly giving false information to a public officer.
The detentions followed a verification exercise conducted at Kasama police station in the presence of all stakeholders, which revealed that the truck was in fact carrying spray pumps and chemicals for treating mosquito nets.
Northern Province police chief, Charles Lungu, who confirmed the development, said police had launched investigations to establish the motive behind the alarm.
Speaking before the verification exercise, Christopher Chanda, who identified himself as a member of the PF security committee, told ZANIS his party received information from their colleagues in Mpika that the truck destined for Kasama was carrying suspected ballot papers.
Acting on this information, the PF officials waylaid the truck at TAZARA barrier around 20:30 hours where they orderedthe driver to park the truck so that they could check its contents despite him having told them what he was carrying.
After a bitter exchange of words, the driver decided to drive off to JB Hotel where he was supposed to spend a night.
The uncompromising officials followed the truck at JB Hotel where they started removing the tent and opened two boxes.
However, it was not until the police officer- in-charge appeared on the scene that it was resolved that the truck be driven to Kasama police station to allow for a verification of its contents yesterday.
Among the stakeholders who witnessed the verification of the contents were the provincial electoral officer, Nixon Kwapu, the provincial health director, Dr Fabian Kabulubulu and administrative officer, Vincent Phiri.
The incident had raised a lot of anxiety among Kasama residents.
Health Minister, Brian Chituwo said it was regrettable that the PF cadres could take the law in their own hands.
Dr Chituwo said it was important that the PF leadership instilled discipline into the minds of their members so that they could desist from carrying out such acts.
"It is unacceptable that the cadres could take the law into their hands instead of reporting the matter to the police. These are excited cadres and I am not quite sure whose instructions they were following," Dr Chituwo said.
As a result of the impounding of the truck, he said drivers in the ministry were now scared to drive trucks in rural areas for fear of such acts.
Dr Chituwo complained that most drivers were scared of undertaking long distance travels fearing that cadres could misconstrue them of carrying ballot papers for the October 30 polls.
Meanwhile, police in Lusaka yesterday questioned Anti-Rigging Zambia Limited executive director, Kaluba Simuyemba, over a statement he made that a truck carrying ballot papers had been impounded in Kafue.
Police spokesperson, Bonny Kapeso and Anti-Rigging Zambia Limited lawyer, Kelvin Bwalya, confirmed the development in Lusaka yesterday.
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