THE Zambia Police Service has arrested six male suspects who were found in possession of offensive weapons along Zambezi Road.

Police say the six suspects were found with nine machetes, 22 rounds of ammunition, PeP campaign regalia and a selfie stick, and have since appealed to Sean Tembo to assist with investigations.

Speaking when he addressed the media, Thursday, Zambia Police public relations officer Godfrey Chilabi said the suspects were spotted in Ngombe area at New Ngombe bus station.

“We are here to confirm that in Lusaka, police have arrested six male suspects who were found in possession of offensive weapons along Zambezi Road. So when we talk about the offensive weapons, these are the offensive weapons and the other items that I’m going to show you. So this incident occurred this afternoon, today 13th August, around 12 hours in Ngombe area, at New Ngombe bus station. Acting on intelligence from community members, our officers spotted a suspicious motor vehicle with registration number B-8-6-2-2. The occupants were intercepted, and then upon searching the motor vehicle, some items were found. We are carrying out more investigations. Our operations are ongoing. But as of now, they are facing a charge of being found in possession of offensive weapons,” he said.

“So we recovered nine machetes. These were recovered from the motor vehicle, which is here. So other than the machetes, we also recovered 22 rounds of ammunition. These are rounds of ammunition for a shotgun. And also a selfie stick. We also found in this vehicle these campaign materials. We found these campaign materials in a motor vehicle. So quickly, the following suspects have been apprehended and are in custody: Newton Miti, aged 51, Joseph Phiri, aged 43, Collins Kavwali, aged 30, Kennedy Chimfwembe, aged 51, Emmanuel Banda, as well as Friedman Muchili. So the suspects are currently in custody”.

Chilabi equally appealed to Sean Tembo to assist with the investigations in regard to the case.

“So our investigations are ongoing. And to this effect, I again confirm here that we are appealing to Mr Sean Tembo, wherever he is, to report to the police, Chelstone Police Station here, or any police station. It’s a timely, friendly appeal to Mr Sean Tembo. Sir, Mr Sean Tembo, wherever you are, please come and assist us with investigations with regard to this case. So we will continue conducting such operations. We said that we’ll be doing stop and search, and this is a fruition of the stop-and-search operations that we are conducting as Zambia Police Service. Our aim is simple: to create a conducive environment to allow people to vote smoothly,” he said.

Chilabi advised political supporters to desist from harassing voters, adding that they had 90 days to campaign.

“Now, members of the press, as we stated earlier on, we are on the ground as Zambia Police Service. Our role is simple: to create a conducive environment for the electorate. Political parties had 90 days to conduct their campaigns. Electorates or voters need to vote peacefully without any intimidation, without any harassment, or without any fear. So when we find some political parties or politicians in possession of these items, this is a serious offence contrary to what the laws state. So political supporters, stay away from campaigning for your candidate and harassing voters,” said Chilabi.

“Then, other than this, we had some incident in Matero, in George Compound. We moved in and pacified the situation. The situation is calm now there. As well as we had another incident in Chongwe. The situation is calm. But generally, countrywide, the situation is calm. We are doing our level best as Zambia Police Service, and we continue appealing to members of the public and political parties, especially, to ensure that they give chance to the electorate. It’s time for the voters to exercise their rights as enshrined under Article 46 of the Constitution”.