BY Prince J Musa in Kenema.
Ahead of the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party’s (SLPP) Lower level election, violence has ensued over party card issuance leaving the Kenema district party secretary-general, Sama Vandi Sama hospitalized.
The victim said he was beaten by some party hooligans on the 12th March 2021 at the party district office in Kenema.
In an interview with politico on his sickbed at the Kenema government hospital, Mr. Sama said the party agreed to print cards for new members and that it was agreed that the printing of the cards should be decentralized at district level. He added that the cards should be channeled through appropriate executive members of the district and should be carefully handled for onwards distribution.
He said it was this agreement that he was trying to honour when the district Party Chairman Moriba Koroma allegedly ordered one of the party boys to attack him in the presence of another senior member of the party Hon. Sarty Banya whom, he said did nothing to protect him from his attackers.
“I saw chairman Moriba making a sign by body language to one of the boys Solomon A Conteh alas Labista who came behind me and started to hit him seriously. I heard from the chairman, now we are to finish this boy. Openly before Hon. Sarty Banya and others,” he said.
He further accused Mr. Koroma of threatening his life and that as he struggled to release himself from Labista through the other entrance, he fell into the hands of another party marshals who manhandled him.
He said he reported the matter to the police and was issued a medical report and subsequently admitted due to his condition.
However, Mr. Koroma said he is the appropriate person to handle and distribute the cards to the constituencies but he said the Resident Minister East, Joseph S Keifala, Andrew Ansu Fatrtoma, former Hon. Saidu Nico Mansaray and Former councilor Anthony Fonne said that on no account should the cards be given to him and so they rushed at him to collect the cards from him but were unable to.
He added that thugs also attacked his office after the incident and started pelting stones at the building. He said Labista was chased out of the hospital when he went to seek medical attention after the fight with the Secretary General but was rescued by the doctors.
“Those who are behind the whole problem are resident minister J S Keifala, Hon.NICO and Anthony Fonnie former councilor and councilor Ishmael Koroma,” he said.
Police in Kenema are investigating the matter but no suspect was in custody as at press time.
Copyright © 2021 Politico Online 15/03/21
