I almost died – Zambian musician General Kanene recounts brutal attack by UPND cadresin Mwembeshi

Zambian musician Clifford Dimba, popularly known as GeneralKanene, says he nearly lost his life after being brutallyattacked by UPND cadres while performing at a political eventin Mwembeshi over the weekend. In a video recorded after he was discharged from hospital,Kanene said the attackers came armed with guns, pangas, sticksand other weapons. He described how the […]

Zambian musician Clifford Dimba, popularly known as General
Kanene, says he nearly lost his life after being brutally
attacked by UPND cadres while performing at a political event
in Mwembeshi over the weekend.

In a video recorded after he was discharged from hospital,
Kanene said the attackers came armed with guns, pangas, sticks
and other weapons. He described how the assault left him with
deep cuts and severe blood loss.

“I almost died,” he said. “They came at me on stage and I
thought that was the end.”

Kanene said he had deliberately stayed away from the country’s
two biggest parties ahead of the campaigns. He explained that
both the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and
Prosperity, led by presidential candidate Brian Mundubile, and
the ruling United Party for National Development had approached
him. He declined both, opting instead to perform for
independent candidates because he wanted to avoid being caught
in political crossfire.

“I chose independents because I didn’t want trouble,” he said.
“I have seen what happens when musicians are linked to one
side. I wanted to just do my job and go home.”

According to Kanene, the trouble started when he noticed a
group of men moving around the venue in a Land Cruiser
distributing UPND T-shirts. Minutes later, while he was on
stage entertaining the crowd, the same men charged toward him.

He said they were shouting party slogans and carrying pangas
and sticks. Within seconds the stage was overrun. The
attackers, he said, turned on him, on sound equipment, and on
vehicles belonging to independent candidate Ibrahim Mwamba.
Speakers were smashed and Mwamba’s vehicle was vandalized.

Kanene said he tried to shield himself but was overwhelmed. He
suffered cuts to his arms and head and lost a lot of blood. He
credited members of the public who rushed in for saving him.

“If those people had not intervened, I wouldn’t be here talking
to you,” he said. “They pulled me off the stage and pushed me
through the crowd. Some of them got hit trying to protect me.”

After the assault, Kanene and his team drove through nearby
fields to avoid further confrontation and went straight to the
nearest police station to report the incident. From there he
was taken to a medical facility for treatment.

He thanked the people who risked their own safety to rescue
him, saying their quick action prevented a fatal outcome. He
also appealed to political leaders to tell their supporters to
stop using violence against artists and ordinary citizens.

Kanene did not say whether he will continue performing at
political gatherings. He noted however that music is how he
earns a living and that many musicians depend on campaign
events for work during election season.

“I am a musician. When I am hired, I go and perform. That is my
livelihood,” he said. “But we also have a right to be safe. We
are not fighters. We go there to entertain.”

The attack is the latest in a series of reported incidents of
political violence as Zambia heads toward elections. Rights
groups have warned that musicians, vendors and supporters are
increasingly being targeted for the perceived political
affiliations of the candidates they work with.

Police in the area had not issued a formal statement on the
Mwembeshi incident by the time of publication. Human rights
organizations have called for swift investigations and for
perpetrators to be brought to book, saying attacks on
performers undermine free expression and public participation.

For Kanene, the experience has left both physical and emotional
scars. He said he is still recovering but grateful to be alive.

“I thank God and I thank the people who helped me,” he said.
“Politics should not cost someone their life.”-zambianeye