NRPUP STRONGLY CONDEMNS VIOLENT ATTACK ON MUNDUBILE CAMPAIGN TEAM AT SHERBOURNE HOTEL AS NGUZU SURVIVES ATTACK! The National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) strongly condemns the violent attack on its presidential campaign team at Shelburne Hotel, where members of the campaign accompanying presidential candidate Brian Mundubile are accommodated. The attack was allegedly carried […]

NRPUP STRONGLY CONDEMNS VIOLENT ATTACK ON MUNDUBILE CAMPAIGN TEAM AT SHERBOURNE HOTEL AS NGUZU SURVIVES ATTACK!

The National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) strongly condemns the violent attack on its presidential campaign team at Shelburne Hotel, where members of the campaign accompanying presidential candidate Brian Mundubile are accommodated.

The attack was allegedly carried out by UPND cadres linked to former Mines Minister Paul Kabuswe and a named State House aide.

Several vehicles and other property belonging to the campaign team, as well as private guests staying at the hotel and guest house, were damaged as terrified occupants fled for safety. Equally disturbing are reports that police officers who were nearby failed to intervene as the violence unfolded.

Among those targeted was popular personality Monde Mutale, popularly known as “Nguzu,” who narrowly escaped death after a machete attack. The weapon missed him but shattered the side window of the vehicle in which he was seated.

‘Nguzu’  had to be hurriedly evacuated after attackers allegedly vowed to “teach him a lesson” for supporting Brian Mundubile.

This unfortunate incident comes after earlier reports of violence involving UPND members, including the attack on Garry Nkombo. The extension of such alleged violence to opposition members and public figures simply because they support Mr. Mundubile represents a deeply troubling escalation of political intolerance.

From every indication, this attack appears to have been aimed at Mr. Brian Mundubile who luckily was not at the facility at the time of the attack. The Kitwe incident is not isolated but part of what has been a pattern of threats, intimidation and attempts to frustrate his campaign.

We therefore place the nation and the international community on notice that Mr. Mundubile’s safety remains a matter of grave concern.

President Hakainde Hichilema has repeatedly called for peaceful campaigns. If the circumstances surrounding today’s events are substantiated, together with the reported police inaction, they raise serious questions about the State’s commitment to guaranteeing a peaceful, free and fair electoral environment.

We call upon the Zambia Police Service to immediately investigate this attack, arrest all those responsible irrespective of political affiliations.

We further urge the Electoral Commission of Zambia, the European Union Election Observation Mission, the African Union, SADC, the Commonwealth and other election observers to closely monitor the deteriorating democratic space and increasing reports of political violence to help safeguard the credibility of Zambia’s electoral process.

Despite this grave provocation, NRPUP remains committed to peaceful, issue-based campaigning.

We urge our members and supporters to remain calm, disciplined and law-abiding. As NRPUP, we will not be intimidated or deterred from exercising our constitutional and democratic right to campaign freely throughout the Republic of Zambia.

Issued by:

Elias Kamanga
Chairperson Information and Publicity
NRPUP