Home Affairs Minister Mkhondo Lungu has warned police officers against engaging in partisan politics because they risk being dismissed from the Police Service.
Officiating at the Zambia Police senior commanders’ workshop with the theme ‘Violence-free 2011 elections’ at Ibis Gardens in Chisamba yesterday, Mr Lungu said indiscipline and unprofessional conduct by police officers could trigger violence due to the highly emotive state of the people in an election environment.
Mr lungu said such conduct would make it difficult for officers to maintain law and order.
Mr Lungu said such a scenario would not just be an embarrassment to the Police Service, but it would erode public confidence in the service and it was important for police to reflect on ensuring professional conduct and exhibiting impartiality at all times.
“As minister of Home Affairs, I am praying that this year’s elections shall be free of violence. What is needed is for us to find the best strategies of handling and managing the elections,” he said.
He said the police had a mammoth task with regard to facilitating peaceful elections with current national debates that involved the majority of citizens calling for incident-free polls, as against a few who were predicting violence.
“I, therefore, urge you to consider how to handle these areas in conformity with the Public Order Act and the Electoral Code of Conduct. I urge you to study these materials carefully, put appropriate strategies in place and then impart the knowledge to your subordinates,” Mr Lungu said.
Speaking earlier, Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde warned those advocating for violence to re-think their actions because violence did not only negatively affect the country’s democratic process, but jeopardised its development, peace and tranquillity.
Mr Kabonde commended President Rupiah Banda, some political parties and the Church for having come out in support of peaceful presidential and general elections.
[ Times of Zambia ]
This is what one of the Kaunda’s said and i quote “if…, 2011 elections will be bloodiest” same same here. And i also quote from Lungu “Mr Lungu said indiscipline and unprofessional conduct by police officers could trigger violence due to the highly emotive state of the people in an election environment”. We will see if the use of the word could will misconstrue the message from Lungu by ZNBC, Times of Zambia, and GRZ.
What the Minister said is politically correct. The challenge is whether our Police Service will carryout their duties in a professional manner. My question to the Minister is, what is our governement doing to instil professionalism in our Police Service?
Public confidence in our Police Service is very low. Much of what is going on in the Service leaves much to be desired. Police Service, please pull up your socks!!!!!
RUPIAH THROUGH HIS WILLIAM BANDA IS THE ONE ADVOCATING VIOLENCE.
LAW SAYS PVT ISN’T ILEGEAL BUT RUPIAH AND HIS SHAMELESS MINIONS ARE STIFFENING THEIR NECKS OVER PVT,AND THAT IS ADVOCATING VIOLENCE.
WESTERN PROVINCE IS MWAMUKOLO COME 2011.
DONT WASTE YOUR VOTES ON SMALL TRIBAL PARTIES,WESTERN PROVINCE HAS REFUSED TO SPLIT THE VOTES.
VOTE SATA AND PF COME 2011.
No I for one will not vote for Sata and PF come 2011. Sata and PF have not convinced me that they are even better than the MMD. Sata has a very bad record when it comes to violence. i have not forgotten what he did in Chawama in his bid to secure a third term for the dwarf. Not only that, but during his UNIP days he sent vigilants to beat a colleague of mine, (who is now the late) who was working at Mandevu Health Centre in Lusaka which resulted in him sustaining a ruptured eardrum. Till his death 4 years ago, my colleague was deaf in that ear. The baeting was because health workers were protesting against poor working conditions. Sata was Governor. I have also known Sata to have kicked a woman resulting in a ruptured bladder when vying for National Secreatary position with VJ.
# 4
Ba Noah take yr anti Sata rantings somewhere-check if theres connection between what u said the subject.If yr prefered choice is R.Bish thats within yr rights and some of us can live it.
MMD IS ADAMANT ON WINDFALL TAX,CHILUBA’S DUBIOUS ACQUITOS,ABUSE OF OFFICE, MONGU AND MAZABUKA KILLINGS,DUBIOUS SALE OF ZAMTEL,MUFUMBWE,CHILANGA VIOLENCE,THE ATTACK OF PF CONFERENCE,INTER-CITY BUS TERMINUS VIOLENCE,THE NAPSA SCAM, STEALING OF PUBLIC FUNDS,CORRUPTION,ESCALETING POVERTY LEVELS, THIS LIST IS ENDLESS. IF THESE ARE THE PEOPLE YOU TO SUPPORT,YOU ARE FREE.
BUT WE THE POOR WANT CHANGE SO THAT WE CAN ALSO LIVE WELL LIKE THEM(MMD)
SATA AND PF IS OUR ONLY HOPE.
VIVA SATA AND PABWATO COME RAIN COME WHAT WEATHER.
Red Card-abena Libala South # 4. Take note that I did not say i will support RB. I just pointed out that to say people should vote for Sata and the PF because MMD is more violent is just a joke because in my view, and I have no apology to make, Sata and his pick pocketing party are not my cup of tea. I respect your choice, do likewise! My blogging was in response to Academic Worrior’s posting at # 3. So what connections are you talking about? I find Academic Worrior more sensible that your red card nonsense!!!
I meant red card # 5
#6 What change can we expect in name only? We’ll still have Mpombo, Mulongoti, Kapijimpanga,Nsanda, Scott, etc and whoever defects from RB’s camp as our Ministers. If we’re so desperate for change, why dont we all match and demostrate through our streets for change of name from MMD to whatever we want?
I can’t believe in what the Mr lungu and the police commander said. They are hypocrites !Hypocrites ,hypocrites ,hypocrites !That’s what they are.lnfact going by what we have come to know them ,they were saying the opposite.You are the ones planting a seed of violence because you don’t want to be advised.People with impeacable charactor have adviced you but foolishly you choose not to listen.Only people with questionable charactor would buy into mmd’s evil schemes. Hh stop your childish behavior. You have lost it boy! Kimwamukolo feelaaaaaaa…!
Kwena Ba Noah you are misguided chap. I hope you are not one of those RB is taking advantage of because of the poverty they are living in. Surely you are being paid for your support. Not a person in the right state of mind can do what you are doing.
#9 I RESPECT YOUR POINT OF VIEW BUT US THE POOR ARE SEEING SO MUCH INJUSTICE IN THE MMD GOVT AND THEY KILL WHOEVER DEMONSTRATES.SO WE FIND YOUR SUGGESTION NOT WORKABLE.
WE FEEL OUR POOR NATION DESERVES BETTER LEADERSHIP.LATE PRESIDENT WAS OK AND THE NATION WAS MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, RB HAS TURNED THIEVES IN TO HEROES,RAMPANT CORRUPTION,VIOLENCE,RULE OF MEN,AND WE THE POOR ARE JUST BEING OPPRESSED. THAT’S WHY WE FEEL WE NEED CHANGE OF GOVT AND THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE WE HAVE IS MICHAEL CHILUFYA SATA AND HIS LARGEST OPPOSITION PARTY.
SATA COME 2011.
# 2 Noah:
I agree with you.
It is sad that RB is giving us LIP SERVICE over violence in Zambia.He knows people who are perpetrating violence. He needs to deal with the root of violence .BANDA from malawi is the one who has introduced violence into zambian politics. Giving us lip service is not helping anybody.
RB we respect you as our grand father.Stop MMD from killing us. Is killing people, the legacy you want us to remember you of ? A LEADER LISTENS TO HIS PEOPLE.
Noah # 7. I agree with what you wrote #3. I dont know why people turn to insults when one brings up issuing pertaining to an electable person. Here in the developed part of the world, issues like what you mentioned are very important to take note of before one can be elected into office. Dont be intimidated by these blind followers.
Thanks Prince Chinza. I appreciate the support. It is frustrating that when one wants to highlight certain issues regarding people aspiring to the highest office in our country, certain bloggers respond with insults. We need to know what sort of people these are who want to be President. It is not wise for us to pretend that they are perfect and 3 months after we vote them into power we become their worst critics.
Bigotry is sticking to what you first heard without ever wanting to expose it to new facts. It knows no social standing, education levels, age, tribe or faith. It is also called DOG LOYALTY… and our beloved Zambia does not need it.
MCS organized machete-wielding hooligans in Chawama
MCS kicked out Gen MIYANDA and Gen TEMBO as he vigorously campaigned for FTJ’s 3RD TERM.
MCS easily goes back on his word (questionable integrity…)
…and yet BIGOTS will never care. I have admired so many contributions from some of the bloggers but when their party is attacked they become ridiculously biased in their analysis..
IN Christianity it is said..’you will reap what you sow..” CAN WE SURELY plant tobacco and expect maize…can we honestly elect a liar or manipulator and not expect such a person not to use his proven attributes on us. FTJ was the darling of those of us who put him in power through our votes. He benefitted from our getting tired of a one party state. Should we go through a similar route after getting tired of MMD? How many times shall we recycle politicians without worrying why they have been changing camps and almost always to whoever they think will carry the day after elections. Think about the so called PF rebel MPs, Madyenkuku, Kapijipanga, Mulongoti, Guy Scot, the new MP for Mporokoso… I admire Bob Sichinga and Patrick Chisanga for sticking to their principles…