Police in Serenje District have arrested Socialist Party President Fred M’membe for the offence of unlawful discharge of a Firearm.
Dr. M’membe aged 64 has also been jointly charged with two others with an offence of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
In a statement Deputy Police Spokesperson, Danny Mwale, says Dr. M’membe is alleged to have assaulted nine suspected members of the United Party for National Development (UPND).
Mr. Mwale says the incident occurred when the two political parties clashed while conducting their campaigns at four ways in Mwalilima and Kamalamba area of Serenje District in Central Province on April 8, 2023, between 14:00 hours and 16:30 hours.
Mr. Mwale says Dr. M’membe and all suspects are still detained in police custody awaiting to be formally charged and a manhunt has been launched against suspected UPND members who fled the scene after assaulting two Socialist Party members.
Meanwhile, in a statement, Dr. M’membe has admitted firing shots in order to disperse some unruly suspected UPND cadres.
By Darius Choonya