LUSAKA, 02 August 2021, (TON): President Edgar Lungu said “Zambia deployed the military to curb escalating political violence ahead of elections on August 12.”

Pockets of violence have been reported in the Zambian capital, Lusaka, as well as northern, southern and Muchinga provinces where supporters of the governing Patriotic Front (PF) and the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) have clashed using machetes, axes, slashers, catapults and other objects.

Police said that two supporters of the governing party were hacked to death with machetes on Friday by attackers suspected to be members of the main opposition party. Four people were arrested in connection with the killings.

Lungu said “in order to curb the political violence we have witnessed in the past two days, I have allowed the Zambia Army, Zambia Air Force and Zambia National Service to help the Zambia police in dealing with the security situation.”

Even though the Electoral Commission has banned rallies because of the coronavirus, clashes between opposing political parties have overwhelmed the police.

Lungu further added “maintaining law and order is a daily chore of the police but sometimes they need help from other security wings.”

Lungu said the military would also ensure that the work of the Electoral Commission, which would conduct the polls, was not interfered with.