ZAMBIA: Violent clashes ahead of crucial by-elections

Tensions ahead of four critical by-elections in Zambia have seen sporadic violence erupt between ruling party and opposition supporters in the run-up to the polls. The ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) is hoping to gain an outright majority in parliament, while the opposition is desperate to bolster its numbers after losing some of its legislators through floor-crossing and a court ruling stripping an MP of his seat.