"Arrest the Criminals Within 24 Hours or We Will Defend Ourselves" – Binwell Mpundu

KITWE – National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) official Binwell Mpundu has given the Zambia Police Service a 24-hour ultimatum to arrest people he alleges were responsible for violent attacks against the party's members and property during campaign activities on the Copperbelt.

Speaking at a media briefing, Mr. Mpundu alleged that suspected UPND supporters attacked NRPUP members and damaged party property in Kitwe following campaign activities.

He claimed the attacks targeted party officials at locations including Chevron and Chevron Hotel, where several members were allegedly assaulted, vehicles damaged and some individuals robbed.

Mr. Mpundu said the party had identified those allegedly involved and would submit their names and other information to the police.

"We are challenging the police to arrest these criminals within 24 hours. If they fail to act, we will have no option but to invoke our constitutional right to defend ourselves," Mr. Mpundu said.

He accused the police of failing to protect NRPUP members and alleged that officers had repeatedly acted in a manner that disadvantaged the party during the campaign period.

Mr. Mpundu also alleged that police had previously disrupted the party's campaign activities in several districts, including Ndola and Chama, and claimed some officers had colluded with political opponents. He did not provide evidence to support those allegations.

He further claimed that NRPUP had conducted more than 50 campaign rallies without incidents of violence and accused the ruling UPND of being responsible for recent violent episodes reported during the campaign.

Mr. Mpundu urged the Zambia Police Service to investigate the reported incidents and bring those responsible to justice.

At the time of publication, the Zambia Police Service and the United Party for National Development (UPND) had not publicly responded to Mr. Mpundu's latest allegations.