Masebo Comes Under Threat

Armed police officers have been deployed at Sylvia Masebo’s house in Lusaka following threats on her life from unknown people.
And some PF officials in Chongwe have called for the expulsion of individuals calling for the removal of Kebby Kashinamilunda as Chongwe district commissioner.
A source said police received a tip that some unknown people had planned to attack Masebo at her residence on Wednesday.
According to the source, the people who planned to attack Masebo were armed.
Lusaka Province police commissioner Lemmy Kajoba confirmed that officers from Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe police post had been deployed at Masebo’s home in Ibex Hill to maintain law and order and protect the former tourism minister.
“What I know is that as of yesterday Wednesday, we were told that some PF supporters were going to demonstrate against her and so we sent police officers to go and prevent that but apparently the group that came was for pro, supporting her; as you know, there are two factions involved,” Kajoba said in an interview yesterday.
He said the officers were deployed to ensure law and order and to protect Masebo.
“We wanted to ensure law and order as well as arrest the perpetrators because there was no notification given to the police to hold a demonstration but apparently they never showed up,” Kajoba explained.
“Probably these officers will keep vigil on the activities at her house.”
And chief inspector under Lusaka police division, Cornwell Ngoma said he had received instructions from the headquarters command to deploy officers at Masebo’s house to secure it.
“The officers are still there and will continue being there until the situation normalises,” said Ngoma.
On Tuesday, Kajoba warned people harassing senior civil servants and heads of quasi-government institutions that they would face the wrath of the law.
Kajoba’s comments come in the wake of a spate of incidents where PF supporters have been locking up offices of chief executive officers and district commissioners whom they accuse of frustrating the government’s development agenda.
He warned that police would not allow lawlessness perpetrated by any political grouping to continue in the province.
“Police will not condone lawlessness by cadres. If they are aggrieved, they should follow right channels. District commissioners are presidential appointees; cadres have to follow procedure,” said Kajoba.
Last Friday, two people appeared in the Chongwe Magistrates’ Court charged with one count of criminal trespass contrary to the Laws of Zambia.
In this matter, Edward Musole, 32 and Oliver Kachepa, 56, are alleged to have locked up Chongwe district commissioner Kebby Kashinamilunda’s office.
It is alleged that Musole and Kachepa last week led people in locking up the Chongwe district commissioner’s office without lawful authorisation.
The duo was released on K5,000 bail each and will appear for trial on April 17.
And Chongwe district chairman Christopher Mutalange has clarified that those opposing the leadership of Kashinamilunda were merely disgruntled individuals wanting to destabilise the party in the constituency.
Mutalange accused Kachepa and Musole of fuelling the wrangles in the constituency, adding that the party leadership in the area would continue to recognise Kashinamilunda as Chongwe district commissioner.
He has warned that the duo would not be tolerated and would soon face the law.
“I wish to state that the statements that Oliver Kachepa and Edward Musole are making do not come from the party organs in Chongwe. These are just a few disgruntled and indisciplined individuals masquerading as PF officials,” Mutalange said.
According to PF officials, 10 ward officials removed the duo as party leaders in August after they passed a vote of no confidence in Kachepa and Musole.
He added that Kachepa and Musole were suspended party members and that they were simply masquerading as party leaders.
Mutalange called on party members to respect and embrace presidential appointments if peace was to prevail in the party.
“All presidential appointments should be welcomed and supported by all staunch PF members,” he said.
And Mutalange has accused the opposition of sponsoring the individuals instigating confusion in the party.
He added that the party leadership in the constituency would continue to support decisions coming from the top party leadership on the numerous development projects taking place in the area.
Mutalange appealed to the provincial committee to suspend and recommend to the central committee the expulsion of district and provincial officials fanning confusion in Chongwe Constituency, saying they were undermining party integrity in the area.