By CHILA NAMAIKO and PEPETUAL SICHIKWENKWE –
TWO MMD factions yesterday clashed in Lusaka leaving their party secretariat damaged while five motor vehicles among them, a Toyota Hilux and two public mini-buses damaged extensively.
The fracas ensued when a rival group calling for a convention went to deliver a petition to the party secretariat situated at Plot 44/IB, Kasala Road in Kabulonga area, but was met by those supporting party
leader Nevers Mumba.
After being denied entry into the secretariat, the unruly cadres started throwing stones inside the premises smashing windows and damaging furniture for the offices.
The irate cadres want the party to go to the convention before the 2016 general election and accused Dr Mumba of failing to resolve what they termed as party wrangles.
They were only dispersed after Police in riot gear, moved in swiftly and fired tear gas canisters to restore peace and order.
A check at the premises around 12:00 hours found about five motor vehicles among them a Toyota Hilux registration number ALH 4679 belonging to deputy national secretary Winnie Zaloumis, extensively
damaged.
Two other mini-buses registration number ALP 5137 and ABP 2601 used to ferry the cadres, had their windows shattered and parked within the secretariat premises.
Armed Police officers took charge and manned the premises as they could not allow anyone to enter or hover around the place.
But Dr Mumba described the incident as an act of political hooliganism and accused those demanding for the convention of not being genuine MMD members.
He said the decision by MMD national executive committee (NEC) to postpone the holding of the convention to next year was final and that it could not be changed.
“Those who are aggrieved by the party’s decision should leave or challenge the decision in the courts of law,” he said.
Dr Mumba said the plans by some MMD Members of Parliament to destabilize the party by sponsoring confusion would not work.

. CHANDA

Police spokesperson Charity Chanda said four people identified as Fanwell Phiri, 27, Joseph Phiri, 30, Webster Mwenya, 37, and Gilbert Sitali, 20 were arrested during the fracas.
“The four are currently in Police custody and will be charged with malicious damage to property. Five vehicles were left damaged,” Ms Chanda said in an interview.
Ms Chanda said the incident which started around 10:40 hours, had since normalised, but Police were still at the premises by Press time, monitoring the situation.