MUCHINGA Province Police Commissioner Joel Njase says his office will advise when UPND president Hakainde Hichilema will be expected to appear for questioning in the police abduction investigation.

Njase said this when he was asked if there was miscommunication within the Police Command on the summonses served on Hichilema, considering that Police Spokesperson Esther Mwaata Katongo had denied reports that the opposition leader was among those expected in Mpika.

The Police Commissioner insisted that Hichilema was summoned, adding that there was no miscommunication, but agreed with Katongo that the opposition leader was not among those who were expected to appear tomorrow.

“For Tuesday, it’s hon Kang’ombe and others, then on HH we will advise when. [There’s] no miscommunication. It’s an investigation,” said Njase.

On Saturday, Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo said Sesheke UPND member of parliament Romeo Kang’ombe was in the vehicle where two police officers and five civil servants were bundled after being abducted.

“The occupants of the vehicle on which the two officers were bundled included the member of parliament for Sesheke constituency, honourable Romeo Kang’ombe. So dear colleagues, besides the two officers, five other people including two civil servants, an agricultural extension officer, a veterinary officer and three community members who stood by the road side were also attacked by this militia group and they sustained serious injuries and multiple deep cuts. In addition, the seven casualties recorded, the UPND militia group also stole properties which included a Lenovo laptop, a wallet, a shaving machine, cell phones and cash money amounting to K2,400. All the stolen items were valued at approximately K10,000. Furthermore, one residential house had the spare bedroom and kitchen window glass panes deliberately damaged. This damage of the residential house is yet to be ascertained,” said Kampyongo.

And on Thursday last week, Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja claimed that two police officers from Mpika Police Station were abducted by UPND cadres who were in the company of Hichilema.

“I am greatly appalled by the conduct of thugs believed to be UPND cadres who are reported to have abducted two of our police officers of Mpika Police Station whom they assaulted together with other members of the public. The attack happened at Lavushimanda town Center in Muchinga Province today, 14th October, 2020 around 15:00 hours. The thugs are reported to have been in the entourage of the opposition UPND leader Mr Hakainde Hichilema. I am reminding politicians once again that anyone who would want to commit crimes under the veil of politics shall have themselves to blame as police shall not tolerate such kind of unreasonable behaviour. I am warning all those that took part in the commission of this crime that we shall not relent in our investigations, hence they should consider their days numbered.” stated Kanganja.