Auction Holdings Limited (AHL) Group and its subsidiary, AHL Tobacco Sales Limited, have accused the security team of UTM president Dalitso Kabambe of violently roughing up the company’s security during his visit at Chinkhoma Auction Floors.
In a statement released on Tuesday, AHL said in the process of the fracas, security officer sustained an injury on the arm.
“We are deeply concerned and dismayed over the unfortunate incident that occurred at Chinkhoma Auction Floors on 17 June 2025 where UTM party loyalists accompanied by their President Dr Dalitso Kabambe manhandled our security team and forcibly entered Chinkhoma Auction Floors in contravention of protocols for access to tobacco markets and without authorization by the Tobacco Industry Regulator, the Tobacco Commission.
“An advance UTM Team got to Chinkhoma Auction Floors around 11.30am on 17th June 2025 and indicated that their President was going to Kasungu and demanded that he would like to tour the Auction Floors.
“They were advised by representatives of the Tobacco Commission and AHL Tobacco Sales Limited to seek a clearance from the Tobacco Commission as required as it is only farmers selling tobacco on a particular day that are provided access cards and allowed on the Floors.
“Contrary to the advised protocol, Dr Kabambe’s security detail violently roughed up our security team and forcibly entered Chinkhoma Floors.
“AHL would like to unreservedly and strongly condemn the President of UTM, Dr Dalitso Kabambe, his security detail and the rest of his team for such acts of violence and lawlessness on our premises.
“It is of utmost importance that tobacco market access regulations and protocols are observed and particularly by those in leadership like Dr Kabambe, who must act in an exemplary manner at all times.
“Such an unfortunate conduct is not expected of a party leader vying to lead the country. It should be noted that AHL Tobacco Markets are restricted areas and can only be accessed through a clearance by the Tobacco Commission.
“These markets are critical to the country and do not need such disruption. The markets must therefore not be politicized to gain political mileage as Dr Kabambe and his team has done,” reads part of the statement
