By HOPE BWALYA –
THE Patriotic Front (PF) has said that the arrest of eight suspected PF cadres in Kanyama Township in Lusaka is a sign that the party does not shield violent party members.
PF national youth chairperson Stephen Kampyongo said the party would not protect any perpetrator of violence.
Mr Kampyongo was speaking in Lusaka yesterday.
Mr Kampyongo said the Police was an independent institution that carried out its own work free from the ruling party’s influence.
He said the party’s call had been that the Police should take such matters of violence and criminality as they were and that there should be no sacred cows.
Mr Kampyongo said that it was deeply regrettable that possible party members participated in violence.
On Tuesday Police arrested nine suspected PF youths who attacked United Party for National Development (UPND) parliamentary candidate for Kanyama Samuel Mwale.
Mr Mwale was attacked when he was mounting a public address system on his vehicle near Lady Diana School.
Meanwhile Police have concluded investigations in the case of the suspected PF cadres.
Police deputy spokesperson Rae Hamoonga said among the eight, the following four identified as David Sikalungwe aged 25, Patrick Mutelo aged 26, Sikota Kufekisa ,aged 22 and Augustine Kabayi aged 25 have been charged with aggravated robbery.
The other four identified as Paul Phiri , Raphael Shula, Ben Mbandu  and Joseph Mukuka have been charged  with malicious damage to property.
The eight would appear in court soon.