UPND officials arrested

POLICE in Chipata have arrested United Party for National Development (UPND) Eastern Province chairman Paul Thole and provincial information and publicity secretary Victor Mbuzi for allegedly assaulting a local businessman in Vubwi District.
Eastern Province police deputy commissioner Patrick Bili said in an interview yesterday that police apprehended and charged Paul Thole, 63, Victor Mbuzi, 46, after he was reported to have assaulted a businessman popularly known as J. Banda of Petauke in Vubwi district.
“The matter was reported on Sunday by J. Banda, that he had been assaulted by Paul Thole and Victor Mbuzi, who were in the company of other UPND cadres in Vubwi,” Mr Bili said.
He said Mr Banda sustained a fractured leg and general body pains after he was beaten by the UPND cadres and officials.
Mr Bili said Banda had gone to Vubwi to buy maize and onion from farmers when the UPND officials intercepted his vehicle.
He said Mr Banda had given a lift to three people but on the way, UPND officials allegedly stopped him and accused him of bringing Malawians to the area to obtain national registration cards and voters cards.
Mr Bili said the suspects and other unknown people beat Mr Banda and left him unconscious by the roadside. He said later, it turned out that the three that got a lift from the victim were actually Zambians.
Meanwhile, the duo appeared for mention in the Chipata Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
They were both granted K5,000 bail and trial is expected to commence on December 18.

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