Panic in Kaburengu as Goons Shout “Sisi Tumetumwa” While Raiding Panyako’s Hotel

Residents of Kaburengu in Malava Constituency were thrown into fear and confusion after a gang of unknown attackers stormed a hotel linked to DAP-K by-election candidate Seth Panyako in the dead of night. 

The Thursday 1am raid has intensified anxiety in the region as political temperatures rise ahead of the looming mini-poll.

Witness accounts indicate that the attackers arrived in a coordinated group, armed with crude weapons, and launched a violent assault on the premises. 

They smashed windows, damaged several parked vehicles, and sent hotel occupants scrambling for safety as chaos erupted. 

At least five cars were left vandalized, with the attackers reportedly shouting “sisi tumetumwa,” suggesting they had been sent by unidentified individuals.

Sources say the gang struck shortly after Panyako had left the hotel, following a late-night meeting with his campaign team. 

This timing has fueled speculation that the attack may have been politically motivated, raising fresh concerns over the safety of candidates and their supporters.

A staff member who witnessed the ordeal described the moment as terrifying. “They came fast and started breaking things before anyone understood what was happening,” the employee recalled. “People were screaming because we didn’t know who they were or what they wanted.”

Speaking to journalists after the incident, Seth Panyako condemned the attack and described it as an attempt to instill fear and disrupt his campaign momentum. He urged the police to move quickly and bring those responsible to book.

“This was not just an attack on my property. It was an attack on the democratic rights of the people of Malava,” Panyako said. “We cannot allow threats and violence to decide elections. My team remains strong, and we will not be intimidated.”

Local leaders have since appealed for calm, urging all political actors to uphold peace as campaigns intensify. Police in Malava confirmed they had received detailed reports of the attack and assured the public that investigations were already in progress.

The violent incident has left the community shaken, with many now questioning whether more unrest could erupt as the by-election draws nearer.