Patriotic Front Secretary General Davies Mwila has charged that the UPND has placed their cadres in strategic places in Katuba Constituency to cause violence during the by-election.

And Mwila says the party is aware of the lies, the malice and falsehoods being championed by opposition surrogates in the Civil Society and some sections of the media against PF and its leadership.

Meanwhile, President Edgar Lungu has appointed Kasama Central PF member of parliament Kelvin Sampa as ruling party national youth chairman.

Speaking at a media briefing when he announced that PF had adopted Zacks Mwachilele for the Katuba by-election, Tuesday, Mwila accused UPND of sponsoring violence.

“We are aware that the opposition has placed their cadres in strategic places in Katuba Constituency to cause violence against PF supporters. We are calling on the Zambia Police to ensure these campaigns are free of any violence and to bring perpetrators, irrespective of their political belonging, to book,” Mwila said.

“The Party is ready for all upcoming Parliamentary and Local Government by-elections because our agenda to develop Zambia is plain for all to see. No other political party compares to the rich promises contained in our Party manifesto. The evidence of our commitment to transform Zambia for the better is evident for all to see. Even when times are hard, our resolve and commitment to creating a better Zambia than we found it is clear for all to see. We are yet again thanking the Zambians from all walks of life for the trust and confidence in the Patriotic Front.”

And Mwila said PF would not engage in “cheap popularity contests” with the opposition.

“We are aware of the lies, the malice and falsehoods being championed by their (opposition) surrogates in the Civil Society and some sections of the media against Patriotic Front and its leadership. As a matter of principle, Patriotic Front remains committed to the ideal that we embrace criticism in whatever form and shape it comes but we shall not glorify lies and cheap propaganda at the expense of truth we have refused to engage in cheap popularity contests and arguments staged in certain sections of the media by politicians seeking political relevance. PF wins elections in the ballot box and not on social media or by way of screaming headlines,” Mwila said.

Meanwhile, Mwila announced that Sampa was now PF national youth chairman.

“The Central Committee of the Patriotic Front sat and Chaired by His Excellency President Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu to consider among others, changes to the Central Committee, upcoming Parliamentary and Local Government by-election adoptions as well as to adopt the Party’s position on various National Dialogue Forum (NDF) resolutions to be presented before the Parliamentary Committee. I wish to thank all our Members of the Central Committee for your dedication to duty and the honest and valuable contributions each one of you made. Central Committee ratified His Excellency Dr Lungu’s appointment of Kasama Central MP Hon Kelvin Sampa as a Member of the Central Committee. Further, Central Committee has delinked Security from Youth with immediate effect. In this regard, Hon Stephen Kampyongo, MP and Minister of Home Affairs becomes National Chairperson for Security while Hon Kelvin Sampa takes over as National Chairperson for Youth. These changes are with immediate effect,” he said.

Mwila said PF received seven applications for Katuba and urged those who were unsuccessful to rally behind the preferred candidate.

“I want to thank all aspiring candidates to embrace Mr. Mwacilele’s candidature, adopt a ward to work in during these campaigns and the Party shall give you the support. In the same vein, I am calling on all camps that had existed before yesterday to immediately come together as one big Camp for the Patriotic Front. Let us all work towards our victory. Victory is certain in Katuba,” said Mwila.

Mwila said Paul Moonga had been picked as campaigner manager for the Katuba by-election.