By Ann Zulu
A PATRIOTIC Front (PF) mobilizer who recruited more than 500 UPND defectors to the ruling party this
week has been killed in Chongwe.
Mr Paul Longwane, 68,
is the second PF supporter to be killed by suspected UPND cadres in similar
circumstances in less than two months.
Police said in Lusaka that they have arrested four suspects in connection with the killing
of Mr Longwane, the PF political mobilizer in the Chalimbana area of Chongwe
district.
PF Lusaka Province secretary
Stanley Chiumya identified Mr Longwane as a PF mobilisation coordinator for
Chalimbana ward, and alleged that he was murdered by suspected UPND cadres.
The body of Mr Longwane
was discovered by passers-by near Watergreen farm in Chongwe.
Police deputy
spokesperson Rae Hamoonga confirmed the incident to this reporter.
He disclosed that the
incident occurred around 17:30hrs on Monday and that his killers went away with
Mr Longwane’s Toyota Corolla, vehicle registration number ABK 7892, which was
later recovered in the night by police officers in Lusaka.
He said police had so
far arrested four suspects in connection with the murder.
Mr. Hamoonga said that
the deceased suffered a “significant injury” on the chest and that his body was
lying in Chongwe hospital awaiting post-mortem.
“I can confirm that we
have arrested four people in relation to the murder of a 68-year-old man who
has been only identified as Longwane of Chongwe.
“Longwane’s body was
found by passers-by and the matter was reported to the police on Tuesday. The
deceased sustained a deep injury on the chest and we suspect that he was
stabbed with a knife,” Mr. Hamoonga said.
Mr. Chiumya described
the murder as barbaric, urging the police to ensure that all the people
responsible were hunted down and brought to book.
He described Mr
Longwane as having been an excellent party mobiliser, stressing that he had
mobilised over 500 people who defected from the UPND in his area a few days
before he met his fate.
“We are saddened that
our member was murdered in such a manner by suspected UPND cadres. Mr. Longwane
was our mobilisation coordinator for Chalimbana ward in Chongwe and a few days
ago he brought in 500 to 600 supporters who defected from UPND to join PF.
“We know that the UPND
were not happy and they were hunting for this man until he met his fate. We
know the people who are behind all this and the law will soon catch up with
them,” Mr. Chiumya said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Chiumya
called on PF members in Chongwe to be calm and obey President Edgar Lungu’s directive
to remain peaceful.
“As PF, we are calling
on our members in Chongwe not to pay back using blood because the President is
on record emphasising the need for peace. So we want to restrain our people from
reacting as a result of this incident. Let the law take its course,” he said.