Police to cleanse itself of Human Rights violators
Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde has implored police officers to strictly observe human rights in the execution of their duties.
Mr. Kabonde says upholding human rights is central to encouraging the delivery of fair justice.
Speaking at a Criminal Investigations Re-training Programme at Lilayi College in Lusaka today, Mr. Kabonde pointed out that a poor human rights record had far reaching consequences on the country.
He said a blemished human rights record could even deter investors because no investor would want to invest in a country where such rights are sidelined.
Mr. Kabonde stressed that his Command will not put up with officers found guilty of violating Human Rights.
And American Ambassador to Zambia Donald Booth commended the Zambian government for its commitment to upholding human rights.
Mr. Booth said the Zambian government has been forceful and stringent in ensuring that human rights of the Zambian citizenry are upheld.
He said it is for this reason that the American government would continue to support Zambia in efforts aimed at ensuring that human rights are enjoyed by every Zambian.
Mr. Booth said the American government would channel K16 billion towards human rights and other related training programmes across the country.
Zambia is among other selected Southern African countries being supported by the American government in the re-training of police officers in human rights related issues.
ENDS/AH/AM/ZANIS
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Now that would be the time. To be honest I do not see it happening.
Ba LT what is with this black back ground? I bet we are on version 8.5 now!
Some off the police officers ar tryng coz a found this guy at hill crest road block on Sunday around 03am going to his farm very drunk. the parked his vehicle and told him to sleep in the car till he become normal the following day. I wud say the helped him coz who nows wat that guy wud hav done to other motorist or himself. So some officers ar tryng while others idont know wat i can say about them
no more begging at road blocks, beating people anyhow and many more dubious behaviour committed in the Khaki Uniform
That will be the day! Na njala iyi? Kaya!
Let it not be selective. Even the freedoms of assembly and expression should be promoted. I’ve noted in the past that MMD cadres conduct their businers with impunity disregarding the law. They even threaten bloodshed but the police in silence. Were it opposition party cadres, they’d have been accussed of treason.
This is a tall order for Zed, but as long as someone starts somewhere, there could be some result.
I wish they could retrain all police officers while they are at it!
Zambian Police training is the problem,these chaps are trained to be brutal.Most people who join the police in Zambia are of low self esteem and the uniform gives them courage! If you notice cops in Zambia don’t like dealing with the educated,they say ”UZI ONESA” ati ndiwe opunzila, when you mention human rights and the rights that you have under the crazy Zambian constitution.The police in Zambia impede democracy,harass,maim,kill people extra judiciary with impunity.Police shoot to kill,which under the law is illegal,detain up to 48hrs but it goes into weeks.They also lock people up on fake charges.The police are like the MMD government,they care only about themselves!!!
#3 Ba Mwine is that Benglish u writing?Am tickled by yo grammar but nice contribution…
Ten years ago I had a chat with a Zambian woman constable on the copperbelt. She was in the victim support unit in one of the police stations. I was very impressed with her understanding of human rights. She was of the belief that it was the older ‘grade 7′ police officers who abused human rights. She was a grade 12 school leaver. We may not be where we should be, but we are surely not where we were.
This woman constable also explained to me why the Zambia Police Force changed its name to Zambia Police SERVICE. She explained that it was to serve not to force. Credit where it is due. The problem however is that there are not enough officers and they are terribly underpaid.
Here are some facts: There are 140,000 police officers in the United Kingdom – that is 1 for 400 people. For this proportion Zambia would need 25,000. Imagine with the high tech, fast cars and very established law in UK, people still complain that the bobbies are not enough. What more can you say about our low tech, poorly equiped few Zambian police officers! We must understand. Our independence has let these people down.
the starting salary of a police constable in UK is about £22000. This is equivalent to that of a starting UK teacher, UK nurse and the most junior hospital doctor will earn about £33,00.
This is how salaries among these groups of staff compare in the UK. As a result, people could be attracetd to join the police or teach or nurse.
It seems to me that for some time after independence we continued to recruit police officers without regard to intelleigence but loyalty and ability to obey orders. Make a sub B a kapaso and he feels he is on top of the world! Is there no wonder that some continued with the same attitude in their political careers?
Oh! Steped on some toes! I am out of here!
Mr. Booth said the American government would channel K16 billion towards human rights and other related training programmes across the country.
Could this money be better used to support the infrastructure, compensation and equipment of our police?
Human rights without security are worthless. Crime is rife in Zambia. Criminals are operating with impunity in the country. Get back to basics and start solving crime.
The Saint and Musi you are both very correct. We need that kind of thinking right now! in Zambia not today now!!!!!. So Saint and musi I hope to see you both on all the serious and non important issues on LT because we are the change in motion. May God bless you.
I cant wait for the day when Police will stop that nonsense of “walakwa kale iwe …tiye, uzakamba kusogolo” its so pathatic! One day I found them telling a poor suspect at their reception who they wanted to longa in the cells that “iwe ziuziba ati kuno niku Boma, seluka musapato!”
It needs a wake up call. A serious one. What occurs would not be tolerated in a western country. And because no one actually stands up and leads by example then no one else does it because the fellow cop has not done so. There is a horrible embedded culture in the way things are done, it is very hard to change culture. it has to start from the top.
It would make sense if it began with the Inspector-General of Police himself who doesnt seem to know that preventing anyone from addressing a press conference or meeting is a violation of their human rights. So start with the head — fish starts to rot from the head.