Opposition Press Briefing Disrupted by Suspected Party Supporters

Suspected Patriotic Front supporters have disrupted a press briefing by the Tonse Alliance in Lusaka, preventing journalists from covering the event despite police presence.

Around 20 suspected supporters of the Patriotic Front party stormed a Tonse Alliance press briefing scheduled for late morning at Palm Valley Resort.

The briefing was intended to communicate resolutions from a meeting of the Tonse Alliance's council of leaders, with spokesperson Sean Tembo set to address the media.

The suspected cadres prevented journalists from taking photographs or videos and reportedly threatened violence when organisers attempted to move the briefing to Mr Tembo's residence.

Despite the presence of police officers, the supporters blocked journalists from entering the property, forcing the cancellation of the event.

By evening, Mr Tembo had not issued a public statement about the disruption.

The Tonse Alliance is an opposition coalition that includes several parties, among them the Patriots for Economic Progress and a faction of the Patriotic Front.