Patriotic Front Secretary General Davies Mwila says the ruling party will petition the “violence-induced election results” of the Sesheke parliamentary by-election, which elected UPND’s Romeo Kang’ombe.

And Mwila has demanded answers from the Zambia Police Service on why PF members were butchered like criminals at the hands of the police.

In a statement issued, Wednesday morning, Mwila argued that PF lost Tuesday’s Sesheke by-election not because its development agenda did not sell, but because enemies of democracy and “violent merchants of death” disturbed the peace and turned the constituency into a blood bath.

“The Patriotic Front hates violence. In light of the foregoing, let it, therefore, be made clear that we will petition the violence-induced results of the Sesheke by-election. We also look forward to the Bahati constituency by-election, which we shall adequately be prepared for,” Mwila stated.

He accused the opposition UPND of having shattered the peace in Sesheke, which led to the PF’s loss of the seat.

“We lost the Sesheke parliamentary by-election not because our candidate or our development agenda did not sell; but because enemies of democracy and violent merchants of death and destruction disturbed the peace and turned the constituency into a blood bath! The extent of violence to which the UPND resorted when they once again daringly attempted to block the Presidential motorcade is shocking and it is as reprehensible as it is treacherous for all Zambians regardless of regional roots or political affiliation. Let me begin once again by paying tribute to our members in all the structures of Sesheke and Western Province who gallantly campaigned in an environment made hostile not by the wonderful people of Sesheke; but by an opposition party that practised physical violence and mystical manipulation together with some overzealous policemen who brutalised them. We wish our injured brothers and sisters and sons and daughters in Sesheke a speedy recovery and God’s protection,” Mwila stated.

And Mwila demanded answers from the police on why his party members were butchered like criminals by some unscrupulous officers.

“We are appalled at the vicious, unprovoked attacks the police unleashed on our members and we seriously question the brutality the PF faithful suffered at the hands of police. We demand answers! We demand answers as to why our law abiding unarmed members were butchered like criminals at the hands of the police. We once again salute our gallant youths who yesterday escaped from the jaws of death at the hands of those who must protect them,” he stated.

Mwila further warned the UPND to expect to reap what they have sown, warning that they will soon receive a dose of their own medicine in upcoming elections.

“The UPND have crossed the line; they have gone too far and they must expect to reap what they have sown; just as they must expect to receive a dose of their medicine in upcoming elections. But we say to ourselves, an eye for an eye would make the world blind; we refuse to revenge their terror and violence because we are not thirsty for the spilling of blood! On Tuesday 12th February, 2019, parliamentary by-elections were conducted in Sesheke constituency, while ward elections took place in various parts of the country. We have received with great joy and humility, news of PF sweeping election victory of all the seven wards in Chavuma, Chifunabuli, Bwacha, Chililabombwe, Kafue, Lundazi and Katete. As we celebrate our victory, we pay glowing tribute to our members, the foot soldiers for the great work they demonstrated in campaigning and informing the electorate of PF achievements and development plans,” stated Mwila.

“Our civility and maturity comes with our understanding of the responsibility that comes with governance and being the party in power. However, we must warn that our meekness must not be taken for granted. PF meekness must not be mistaken for PF weakness. When we choose to be civil, we must not be mistaken for cowards; their behaviour beckons us to return the favour, but we will remain issue-based and focused on uniting Zambia beyond tribal and political divides, among others. The Patriotic Front will continue working with our people across all the 10 provinces of Zambia to fulfil the desire of Zambians to see more development through the leadership of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu and the Patriotic Front in 2021 and beyond. To our party leader and Head of State President Edgar Chagwa Lungu, we salute you, your Excellency, for leading us into a higher dimension of growth.”