Lundaz Central Member of Parliament (MP) Lawrence Nyirenda and the Lundazi Council chairperson Margaret Msimuko have been injured in an attack by suspected United Party for National Development (UPND) members. The incident in Mkomba ward in Lundazi district happened on Tuesday when the two, in the company of Patriotic Front (PF) members, ran into an ambush set up by the suspected UPND cadres who mounted an illegal roadblock.

The duo reported the matter to police and Ms Msimuko, who is PF Mkomba ward campaign manager, was yesterday seeking medical attention at Lundazi District Hospital. Mr Nyirenda said in an interview yesterday that he was injured after being attacked by suspected UPND youths.
Mr Nyirenda said he was attacked when he accompanied the PF team who were going to drum up support for their candidate in the Mkomba ward by-election.

Eastern Proince PF chairperson Andrew Lubusha confirmed the attack of his team here yesterday. Mr Lubusha said that last week scores of other PF supporters were also attacked in the same ward. “Our team was attacked by the UPND youths who blocked the road leading to Mkomba and the matter was reported the police,” he said.

He called on the UPND team to avoid violence to ensure free and fair campaigns. Outgoing Eastern Province commissioner of police Alex Chilufya said the clash between the PF and opposition UPND started when the two groups met on the same route when going for their campaigns in Mkomba ward. He could not state if anyone was injured in the clash but that security in the ward has been beefed up by officers from Chipata.
UPND Eastern Province chairperson Paul Thole and his youth chairperson Lyson Nyirenda could not be reached for comment as their mobile phones went unanswered.

The Mkomba ward by-election is being necessitated by the resignation of UPND councillor Maxson Mwale, who joined the governing PF.
Mr Mwale said he opted to resign because he is disappointed with