"We Stopped the Procession Because It Was Illegal and Not Part of the Agreed Programme" - Yuyi

NDOLA – Copperbelt Province Police Commanding Officer Mwala Yuyi has dismissed allegations that police blocked the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) from campaigning in Twapia, saying officers only intervened to stop an unauthorised procession while allowing the party's rally to proceed.

Responding to claims made by NRPUP president Brian Mundubile, Mr. Yuyi said police facilitated the party's campaign meeting and were deployed solely to maintain law and order.

He explained that officers intervened after some supporters allegedly embarked on a roadshow and procession that had not been authorised under the agreed campaign programme.

"We never stopped their campaigns. We allowed them to campaign freely and the rally went ahead. The only thing police stopped was the illegal procession because it was not part of the agreed programme. Our presence was simply to maintain law and order," Mr. Yuyi said.

Mr. Yuyi disclosed that 14 NRPUP supporters had been arrested for unlawful assembly after allegedly participating in the unauthorised procession.

He said it was misleading to suggest that police had frustrated the party's campaign when the rally itself proceeded without interruption.

Earlier, Mr. Mundubile alleged that police attempted to block the Twapia rally because they did not want the party to address supporters on what he described as alleged misappropriation of Food Reserve Agency (FRA) funds.

He also claimed that police had been instructed to stop the meeting and that it only went ahead because of the large turnout of supporters.

However, Mr. Yuyi rejected those allegations, maintaining that police neither interfered with the rally nor sought to prevent the party from campaigning.

He said officers deployed to political activities are mandated to safeguard public safety, maintain peace and uphold public order, rather than intimidate political parties or disrupt lawful campaign programmes.