Zambia deploys army to curb violence ahead of elections

At least two people have been killed in pre-election violence in the Southern African country ahead of polls this month.

Zambia deployed the military to curb escalating political violence ahead of elections on August 12, President Edgar Lungu said on Sunday. Pockets of violence have been reported in the Zambian capital, Lusaka, as well as northern, southern and Muchinga provinces where supporters of the governing Patriotic Front (PF) and the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) have clashed using machetes, axes, slashers, catapults and other objects. Two supporters of the governing party were hacked to death with machetes on Friday by attackers suspected to be members of the main opposition party, police said. Four people were arrested in connection with the killings.