LUSAKA — Patriotic Front cadres allegedly sponsored by a Chishimba Kambwili disrupted the annual Michael Sata memorial on Wednesday.
Executives thronged to duty, waving signs promoting Chishimba Kambwili as the preferred candidate for the 2026 general election.
In scenes that both shocked and horrified those present, the youths showed utter contempt and disrespect for the memorial held for the late PF founder and former president.
As the priest presided over the memorial service, a group of young people stood near the VIP tent, waving a sign with Kambwili’s picture on one end and Sata on the other.
Chanda Kabwe, former coordinator of the Disaster Management and Damage Control Unit, and an unidentified man tried to arrest the youth, but their efforts were in vain.
Led by a youth wearing an American flag on his head, the youths verbally insulted the duo, much to the horror of those present.
The cadres began chanting pro-Kambwili slogans while making it clear that they would not drop the placards.
“If we tuli ba Kambwili. 2026 ni Kambwili, so iwe ninshi? Fuma apa, atase! Landako fimbi, ifyo tatwafyumfwe (We are Kambwili, 2026 is Kambwili for the president so what are you telling us? We won’t listen to what you say, tell us something else),” the unidentified youth said.
After it became clear that the PF cadres would not stop their actions, Kambwili went to them and urged them to respect the monument.
He complained that his behavior was inconsistent with the solemn event and wondered why he had not been consulted about his attendance.
Kambwili said it was not right for executives to hold up campaign posters depicting him without his consent.
However, the “commander” of the unruly youth rudely replied that they didn’t need his permission to support him.
Later, the cadres dropped the signs, calmed down, and continued to watch the memorial from a distance.
Sata died in a London hospital on October 28, 2014.
