Police raid Zambian opposition party's campaign center

By Francis Maingaila

LUSAKA, Zambia (AA) - Police raided the campaign office of Zambia’s main opposition party Friday, the party said.

The election center of the United Party for National Development (UPND) in Lusaka was stormed by officers searching for weapons, lawmaker Jack Mwiimbu said. He claimed computers, satellite telephones and campaign materials were seized.

The raid came ahead of August’s general election. The campaign has seen increased political violence between the supporters of the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) and the UPND. There has also been a clampdown on the media, with the independent The Post newspaper closed and editors arrested earlier this week.

“Unfortunately, the search drew a blank as the party was not in possession of any of the suspected offensive weapons,” Mwiimbu told reporters. “The only thing found at the center was party supporters and the guards who also have been picked to help the police with the investigation.”

He said 10 party supporters, including security guards, had been arrested.

“What has happened today is an assault on the country’s democracy,” Mwiimbu added. “You cannot have a situation where the police would come to raid a campaign center and get away with campaign materials. How do we campaign in an environment like this?”

Police Insp. Gen. Kakoma Kanganja said he was waiting for a full report before making a statement.