August 23, 2017•Update: August 23, 2017
By Obrain Mwiinga
LUSAKA, Zambia
Zambian police have arrested and charged two people, including a journalist, with terrorism and conspiracy to commit a felony after they allegedly attempted to blow up a bridge in Kalomo, in the southeastern part of the country..
The bridge in question connect Kalomo to Choma, the provincial capital of Southern Province.
"Currently, the two suspects believed to be supporters of the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) have been remanded at Kalomo State Penitentiary and will appear in court on Aug. 28 for the possible explanation of charge and plea-taking," Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja told journalists Wednesday.
According to the police, on material day, the two suspects were in Kalomo where they attempted to blow up a bridge.
The police chief warned people bent on sabotage and other terroristic acts that they will be committing crime at their own peril.
"Once arrested, the perpetrators of sabotage and terroristic acts will meet the full wrath of the law," he said
Following a series of arson and sabotage acts, more specifically after the largest market in Lusaka was set on fire, Zambian President Edgar Lungu declared a state of emergency earlier this summer.
Zambia had its first multi-party election in 1991 and has since enjoyed stability. However, violence between UPND followers and Lungu’s supporters marred last August’s vote.
Emergency powers introduced in July increased powers of arrest and detention following a series of arson attacks Lungu blamed of the opposition.
