ANGRY VILLAGERS TORCH INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE’S CAMPAIGN VEHICLE OVER STOCK THEFT SUSPICIONS
What was meant to be another day of election campaigning ended in flames after enraged villagers in Sinda District allegedly set ablaze a vehicle belonging to Kapoche Independent Parliamentary Candidate Stephen Miti, believing it was being used by suspected cattle thieves.
The dramatic incident unfolded around 19:30 hours on Tuesday in Lemmy Village, under Chieftainess Kawaza’s area, where fear and suspicion quickly turned into mob action.
According to Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba, the vehicle a pearl white Ractic registration number CAD 2547 valued at K120,000 was completely destroyed by fire. Also burnt were two bales of campaign chitenge materials valued at K2,280 and K3,850 in cash, bringing the total loss to K126,130.
Police said the candidate’s driver had initially parked the vehicle at a football pitch while carrying out campaign activities. However, concerned residents reportedly advised him to move the vehicle into the village, warning that leaving it at the open ground could cause people to mistake it for a vehicle used by cattle rustlers.
Moments after relocating the vehicle, the atmosphere changed dramatically.
A growing crowd allegedly surrounded the area, demanding to know who owned the vehicle while accusing its occupants of being involved in stock theft a crime that has caused concern in several rural communities.
Realising the situation was becoming dangerous, the driver reportedly attempted to flee in the vehicle. His escape was cut short after the road became impassable, forcing him to abandon the vehicle and run for his safety as the angry crowd closed in.
Back at his campaign trail, Stephen Miti reportedly became concerned when his driver failed to return. After making contact by phone, he was informed of the unfolding chaos.
When the parliamentary candidate rushed to Lemmy Village, he found a devastating scene the campaign vehicle engulfed in flames, with campaign materials and cash already consumed by the fire.
Police have since opened an inquiry into the incident and launched investigations to establish the circumstances that led to the destruction of the property and identify those responsible.