FORMER Mazabuka Central MP Garry Nkombo filed nomination papers Wednesday as an independent candidate and condemned an attack on him at Mazabuka Civic Centre.

Nkombo said a man wearing UPND regalia attacked him and tore his shirt as he entered the centre to file. He said other men, some with covered faces, also assaulted him while police officers present were overpowered. Nkombo said his wife was manhandled during the incident.

“The participation and determination for what is going to come out on Aug. 13 will be the will of the people,” Nkombo said after filing. “I want to make an appeal that what we saw here should never show its ugly face again. Everyone must play their part, including you journalists.”

He described the attack as a “clandestine, James Bond-style scene” and said individuals involved appeared to have guns and a knife.

Nkombo said he was heading to police to report aggravated assault and questioned why officers were “overrun so easily.”

Nkombo represented Mazabuka Central from 2006 to 2026 and served as Minister of Local Government and Rural Development. He left the United Party for National Development this week after saying he felt sidelined by party colleagues.

Police had not commented on the incident by press time.

(Mwebantu, Wednesday, 20th May, 2026)