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| National |
| UDF thugs attack Billy |
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by
Peter Makossah, 28 July 2003
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09:25:33
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A gang of UDF Young Democrats in Kasungu Saturday stormed Hot Spot Entertainment Centre in the district where musician turned-politician Billy Kaunda was scheduled to stage a music show, baying for his blood and threatening to burn both his car and equipment.
The gang, coming from a rally addressed by the party’s presidential candidate Bingu Mutharika and his runningmate Cassim Chilumpha disrupted the show and stabbed one person.
Kaunda, who is aspiring to stand as member of Parliament on National Democratic Alliance (NDA) ticket, in an interview on Sunday said he was hired by the management of Hot Spot Entertainment centre to perform there but as he was going to the show he was tipped that the Young Democrats planned to attack him.
"Someone phoned me informing me that I should not go to Hot Spot because there are over 30 Young Democrats at the place and that they were threatening the owners of the place that there would be bloodshed if I sing at the place.
“I thought it was a joke but later I saw the Young Democrats in a blue car that was driven by Sam Zimba and I escaped. They had mounted roadblocks and I had to use the Chiwengo road to flee to Lilongwe. It was so volatile," said Kaunda.
He wondered why the Young Democrats wanted to beat him up and burn his car as if he was going to hold a political rally in the district.
"Is this what you call democracy? As a Malawian I have a right to perform anywhere in the country and nobody should stop me from doing so,” charged Kaunda.
Hot Spot manager Michael Nkunika in another interview said the Young Democrats, who he said were using a new blue Toyota vehicle bearing no registration numbers, stabbed one of the Club's employees Joseph Msoti in the ribs and that his life is in danger.
He complained that the disruption has led him into a big loss since he had already paid Kaunda K40,000.
Kasungu police station officer in-charge James Munthali refused to comment on the matter.
Police spokesman George Chikowi said police are not aware of the matter because it was not reported to them and that it is difficult to establish if the perpetrators were indeed Young Democrats.
"As of now we have no such report. The matter could be true but may be it was not reported to the police. As of now we cant say they were Young Democrats or not until such time that we arrest them and the truth shall prevail," said Chikowi.
UDF deputy publicity secretary Ken Lipenga could not be reached for his comment on Sunday.
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