More UPND cadres arrested over illegal procession

POLICE in Lusaka have arrested 16 suspected United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres who were among the 25 that allegedly participated in an unlawful procession with Chongwe member of Parliament Sylvia Masebo on Tuesday.
Lusaka Province police commissioner Charity Katanga said the 16 cadres will appear in the Lusaka Magistrate’s Court today.
“We have arrested the remaining 16, out of the 25 suspected UPND cadres, and they will appear in court tomorrow (today),” she said in an interview.
Ms Katanga said the 16 will appear in court together with seven other cadres who were arrested at Lusaka Central Police Station on Wednesday for riotous behaviour while police were questioning Ms Masebo.
On Tuesday, Police arrested Ms Masebo as she with some suspected UPND cadres were allegedly making an illegal procession, contrary to the Public Order Act.
Ms Katanga said the MP and her supporters were intercepted on Independence Avenue after they attempted to walk from the Lusaka Magistrate’s Court complex to the law-maker’s home in Ibex Hill.

Ms Masebo was again re- arrested with four others for escaping lawful custody.
She pleaded not guilty to two counts of escaping from lawful custody and conducting an unauthorised procession in which she is jointly charged with four others.
The five have since been released on a K10,000 bail each in their own recognisance on condition that they produce two working sureties.