Choma protest marchers should heed police advice, says Cozmo

Mon, 22 May 2017 13:10:18 +0000

By SIMON MUNTEMBA

THOSE intending to hold protest marches today in Choma over the arrest of UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema should heed the good and professional advice from the police not to do so to avoid causing unnecessary conflicts with the law enforcers, says National Revolution Party (NRP) Cozmo Mumba.

But the UPND leadership in Southern Province has dared the police, saying it will go ahead with the planned protests today.

Dr Mumba however said the police were in order to cancel the UPND planned protest because it could not only erupt in violence but also it was tantamount to contempt of court.

In an interview, Dr Mumba said the UPND should obey the Police’s advice to avoid unnecessary conflicts with the law enforcers.

“My advice to the UPND sympathizers is, please heed the good and professional advice from the police over your planned protest against the continued detention of HH scheduled for Choma to avoid causing unnecessary conflicts with the police,” Dr Mumba said.

Dr Mumba said such protests have the potential to generate into violence where the innocent citizens would be attacked by UPND cadres.

“Regrettably, it is such kind of protests which led to the death of a young lady called Mapenzi and we would not want to see that kind of a situation again. We would like lives preserved.

Last week Southern Province Commissioner of Police Benny Kapeso warned the UPND to call off their Choma protest march planned for today.

Mr Kapeso said he was not going to allow it because it would be contempt of court for the UPND cadres to go ahead with the demonstration.