Police yesterday detained UPND secretary general Stephen Katuka, national chairman Mutale Nalumango and Sylvia Masebo after they attempted to visit their leader Hakainde Hichilema who is detained at Lilayi Police Training Camp.

Masebo said she and Nalumango were detained for almost three hours whilst Katuka was only released this morning.

“Yesterday I, alongside UPND chairperson, Mutale Nalumango, were detained for almost three hours by police at Lilayi when we attempted to visit HH. UPND secretary general Steven Katuka was [also] arrested and only released a few minutes ago in very unclear circumstances. We were allowed to pass the first checkpoint. It’s at the second checkpoint that police stopped us. They searched us like criminals. They used sniffer dogs on us and after a grueling three hours they released me and Mrs Nalumango,” narrated Masebo.

“They then arrested the secretary general Steven Katuka. He has been released this morning after spending a night in the cells. We continuously keep him in our prayers and hope he is unharmed. Long live HH!”

And police spokesperson Esther Mwaata Katongo confirmed the arrests and said they were released after paying an admission of guilt fee for conduct likely to cause the breach of peace.

“Mr Kakuta together with three others conducted themselves in a manner that was likely to cause the breach of peace when they went to Lilayi yesterday. They have admitted the charge and have paid admission of guilt hence they have been released,” Katongo said.

But when asked to confirm the arrests after the news went viral on social media yesterday, Katongo claimed the news was fake.

“I have verified and it is not true that he (Katuka) has been arrested,” said Katongo.