FDD spokesperson Antonio Mwanza has reported PF secretary general Davies Mwila to the police for inciting PF cadres to take over the running of bus stations and markets in Kabwe.

In a letter to Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja dated January 20, 2017, Mwanza stated that Mwila’s sentiments were a recipe for anarchy.

“I wish to lodge a formal complaint to your office against Mr. Davies Mwila, secretary general of the Patriotic Front for inciting PF cadres to forcibly take over the running of bus stations and markets in Kabwe. His statement is criminal and a recipe for anarchy, lawlessness and public nuisance. Cap 87 of the Laws of Zambia clearly states that anyone who incites civil disobedience against authority (herein being the local authority who are constitutionally mandated to run markets and bus stations) is guilty of a criminal offence and is liable to imprisonment,” wrote Mwanza.

“Inciting lawlessness and promoting acts of subversion against lawful authority (herein being the local authority) is a serious criminal offence and it should be punished. I am hereby requesting your offices to arrest and charge Mr. Davies Mwila accordingly. Bus stations and markets are public places and every Zambian irrespective of their political affiliation has an inalienable right to freely use these facilities. Find herein a video recording of what Mr Mwila said as prima facie evidence. I am looking forward to your quick action.”

On Tuesday January 17, 2017, Mwila met PF officials in Kabwe and told them that they had the power to share land amongst themselves before advertising the rest.

Mwila also castigated them for failing to take over the running of bus stations in the town saying it was unacceptable to have UPND cadres ‘in charge’.

“Yalya ama plot ba mayor, nimwe mu kwete amaka. Ama plots nga yali 500, ba councilor, nimwe mu kwete amaka kweba ati aweh, mwachita advertise 300, mwafumyapo na 200. Namu kwata amaka. 200 mwafumyapo, 300 mwatwala ku chintu bwingi and 200 mwa akanyamo naba ward chairman naba nani (Those plots Mr Mayor, you are the one with the power. If those plots are 500, you the councilors are the ones with the powers to say ‘we shall advertise 300 and remove 200. You have the powers to remove 200 and take the rest for others to access and you can share with the ward chairmen and others),” said Mwila.

“The problem is that we are lazy. As the UPND were getting in the markets, we were watching them, then we come and say they all UPND, where have you been? We have discussed this matter with the provincial chairman and the minister. If anything, the party has said…how are we running all the bus stations in Lusaka? So you mean we can fail to run the stations here? You want me to go and bring ‘commando’ [PF Intercity branch chairman Eddie Gowa]? We are in government and we have to be in control. It’s politics, we are not at church, no! Is this a church?” asked Mwila, as the cadres responded “no.”