DAP-K Candidate Seth Panyako Detained Hours After Attack in Malava

DAP-K’s Malava parliamentary candidate, Seth Panyako, was attacked and had his vehicles vandalised just hours before authorities detained him.

The party confirmed that police are holding Panyako at Malava Police Station.

Reports show that he had visited the station to report the attack, but authorities instead apprehended him. Unknown assailants had damaged his vehicles and targeted him earlier.

“Our candidate, Seth Panyako, is currently at Malava Police Station,” DAP-K said. “Goons under police supervision terrorised him overnight, injured our agents, and destroyed property. Now they are trying to intimidate him. We will not allow it!”

Earlier, Panyako warned of a coordinated plot against him. He claimed that unidentified people had been following him, and that the attacks aimed to stop him from participating in the mini-polls.

After casting his vote at St Joseph Lunyu Primary School, Panyako told the press that pre-election polls showed him leading.

“The government candidate was polling at only 24% yesterday. Their only option is to take me out,” he said.

He added that the attacks were part of a wider strategy by government operatives to block his participation.

The Malava by-election has attracted national attention, as it tests the strength of the united opposition against the government.

Seth Panyako faces off against UDA’s David Ndakwa to replace the late Malulu Injendi, who passed away in February after a brief illness.