Miles Sampa’s supporters win bloodless fight against rival group at PF secretariat
THE PF secretariat was a hive of activity this afternoon as rival PF groups took citizens down the memory lane of violence and stone throwing.
As party wrangles reached fever high this afternoon, the PF resorted to its traditional use of violence, a language that most members understand and speak fluently.
Matero member of parliament and the party’s presidential aspirant Miles Sampa made a grand entry into the party headquarters after dozens of his supporters out-stoned rival party members who had been assigned to block him entry.
Once inside, Sampa set a pile of wood ablaze at the main entrance of the building saying no one will be allowed in until a conference to elect a new party leader is held.
Today’s chaos began brewing yesterday when Sampa who does not recognise the makeshift party leadership insisting it’s illegal announced that he would be addressing the media at the PF secretariat at 14:00 hours today.
This morning, PF spokesperson Emmanuel Mwamba laughed off Sampa’s plans saying he was being dramatic and had no permission to hold a briefing at the secretariat, but defiant on Sampa surprised him.
As journalists arrived at the PF secretariat for the presser, they were welcomed by muscular PF cadres who turned them away saying Sampa would not be allowed in.
The hoodlums who were smoking what smelt like marijuana warned journalists that they would be subjected to the same wrath that was reserved for Sampa if they insisted on sticking around.
Using the journalistic instincts of sensing trouble, the media personnel stuck around observing from a distance.
At around 15:30 hours bus loads of masked PF cadres arrived armed with stones and empty beer bottles that they flung at the building smashing windows and sending their rivals scampering.
It was a bloodless victory for the Sampa group who forced the gate open and took over the headquarters.
Addressing his supporters, Sampa vowed to ensure the party followed the constitution in electing a new leader.
Sampa reiterated his position that the party’s vice-president Given Lubinda’s appointment of Raphael Nakacinda was illegal.
He also repeated his warning that former president Edgar Lungu’s schemes of returning to active politics would end in tears.
Afterwards, Sampa told Kalemba that from today onwards he would be the party’s interim president and Secretary General.
“I will be at the secretariat 24/7, even at night, I have rekindled Michael Sata’s funeral until a general conference is held for grassroots to elect a new leader. Meantime, I am the interim President and SG,” declared Sampa.
Meanwhile, Raphael Nakacinda has written to Inspector General of Police for malicious damage and holding an illegal meeting on the PF property.
Pictures by Salim Dawood
Kalemba








