Zambia’s main opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema said police blocked him from travelling to church on Sunday morning.

Hichilema (59), who is the president of the United Party for National Development (UPND), said police working under instructions blocked him and his entourage and started firing gunshots and tear gas canisters. He posted on Facebook:

This is barbaric and we won’t tolerate it anymore. On our way to Church, the Police under instructions blocked us and started firing gunshots, tear gas canisters and all manner of weapons at us.

To the normal Police, we say stop fighting us on behalf of the corrupt few because we are actually fighting for you.

And to the PF we say your time is up and whatever you try and do won’t stop Zambians from taking you out of pictures.

Zambia is set to hold presidential and parliamentary elections on 12 August this year.

A total of 19 candidates including incumbent Edgar Lungu are planning to contest presidential polls.

Below are the accompanying pictures posted by Hichilema: