Zambia police justify raid on opposition leader's house

The police in Zambia on Wednesday justified a raid on the house of an opposition leader, saying they were pursing party supporters who had hid into the house.

Geoffrey Mwamba, a running mate of main opposition presidential challenger Hakainde Hichilema in next month's general elections said he did not understand why the police raided his house in Kasama district north of the country where they even threw tear gas.

He said his grandchildren were injured in the process.

But Northern Province Police Commissioner Bonnie Kapeso said the police raided the house in pursuit of some party youth who were allegedly pulling down campaign posters belonging to the ruling party.

The police chief said the suspects refused to stop when the police confronted them and run into the opposition leader's house.

The police had to use tear gas in order to get the people they wanted out of the house after they refused to hand themselves peacefully.

According to him, 28 people have since been arrested and that dangerous weapons, including petrol bombs, machetes and spears have been confiscated.

The motive of the large group and the offensive weapons they were carrying was being investigated, he added.

"When the ring leaders decided to lock themselves in the bedroom and the law provides that if you are pursuing a suspect who goes into a building or a structure, you don't need a search warrant. We had to fish them out but others remained locked up," he said.

Zambian President Edgar Lungu is currently in the district conducting rallies ahead of next month's general elections. Endit