THE police command has issued an all-round ban on political activity at the requiem mass and burial of former First Lady, Mama Betty Kaunda.
This follows last week’s violent incident involving Patriotic Front (PF) and United Party for National Development (UPND) party cadres at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.
Lusaka Province commissioner of police Solomon Jere said police will not tolerate acts of hooliganism and other disorderly behaviour by party cadres during the state funeral tomorrow.
“I want to warn cadres that funeral gatherings are solemn occasions where we do not expect any reasonable person to orchestrate violent behaviour.
What happened last Saturday at the Cathedral was not only un-Zambian but a great humiliation to the whole nation. Police will not tolerate such irrational acts, which are recipes for anarchy,” he said.
Dr Jere told a media briefing yesterday that police have noted with displeasure the tendency by cadres to use funeral gatherings, especially for high-profile people, as an opportunity for disorderly behaviour.
“Acts of political violence and physical confrontation, especially during funeral gatherings and political campaigns, are a primitive stone-age phenomenon, which must be stamped out now and in the future,” Dr Jere said.
He said police will not allow mourners dressed in political regalia to attend the church service and burial and advised political parties not to sing political songs or chant party slogans during the funeral.
“Only church groupings will be allowed to wear their uniforms and sing during the funeral service and burial. Party cadres should not come up with slogans that will irritate others,” he said.
Dr Jere also advised all mourners to be sober, as police will not tolerate drunken behaviour.
He said the police command will beef up security during the entire funeral procession as a proactive measure to deter criminal or violent elements.
“Police will not condone anyone who will not adhere to these rules, regardless of their political affiliation. These measures are intended to ensure that law and order is observed, so that we can mourn Mama Betty as ‘One Zambia, One Nation’,” he said.
Dr Jere advised political party leaders to restrain their followers from engaging in any form of aggression.
[Daily Mail]
Awe sure naku malilo ni circus sure. Dr Jere chitapo chimo ai
Timely warning indeed.
Sort them out…we are really fed of this BS!
Police Commissioner, there is nothing wrong in wearing party regalia, mama Betty as a freedom fighter and founding mother of the nation participated in the politics of this country, therefore each political party should be allowed to dress the way they want. what is wrong is political voilence, even if we dont allow people to wear party regalia, we still know each other as from which parties. Condem voilence, and beef up security for maintaining peace and order and leave the dress code to mourners, who include political parties and their cadres. Yours is to ensure there is peace only. political songs sung in an orderly manner are okay, as mama Betty deserves those political songs for her contribution to the liberation struggle of our nation. All in all. WE should all mourn soberly.
mind you its not a political function, dressing in normal clothes will make it harder for cadres to tell whose who and which party they support as a result a way to avoid conflicts. its just a simple way to stop adults with Grade one brains from fighting.
Shamboko who ever will misbehave. Kick them and drag them to prison. Useless people these cadres are with their useless leaders. It a timely warning to you people who like misbehaving.
kopala swag…..bruce lee tapompel…careful…..timely warning…mr kapokola
Ba Silly Jere, so u mean that violence is welcome in other occassions except for funnerals. Don’t issue a permit for the funneral since the security situation only allows such gatherings in open grounds unlike the cathedral.
If it is UPND wanting to hold a rally, you seal off the venue before hand why could u not do th same for your PF? U always say as GBM’s mouth piece that u have intelligence information before things happen but you were unintelligent at the cathedral and could not even arrest your cadre bosses since you are the cheapest cadre. If I were this fake Dr Silly Jelly, I would have resigned.
Have you just woken up from a long sleep to release that … thats your job as police? How does this country really work? Its got all the signs of a failed state.. were nothing works
Just tell Sata and all will be sorted out.
This is the result of runaway situations arising from small indiscretions over time. I keep wondering why we always wait for the worst case scenario to unfold before we put curbs. This has been happening in varying degrees over a very long period of time. Lets examine other areas where the bucket is leaking and mend it before the bottom comes off!!! PROACTIVE action is a lot cheaper than REACTIVE behavior…
“Acts of political violence and physical confrontation, especially during funeral gatherings and political campaigns, are a primitive stone-age phenomenon, which must be stamped out now and in the future,” Dr Jere said. Dr Jere, you sound like telling Sata indirectly because he hails from the stone age and believes in violence. Remember in 1999/2000 hucking of opposition in kanyama or somewhere there?
I m reluctant to generalise the calling public officers ‘cadres’ because these guys are supposed to be doing their jobs properly and without fear. But take for example, the guy Jere, formerly a respectable and fair officer. In his former personality and altitude, he would have firmly advised PF thugs (and not pretend not to know the people that caused the confusion) to stop the nonsense. We need officers that are reasonable and firm. Otherwise some of the MMD’s bad habits will carried over in PF
Why do Zambian police become ineffective, if not useless, when dealing with unruly cadres of the ruling party?
Solomon Jere in matuvi…even shit is better at least some people use it for manure. Check this space – PF cadres will do what they want and he will even defend them. This is not the first time Jere has issued a warning and PF matuvis have gone ahead and did what they wanted and he has defended them. What is amazing is how Solomon Jere is sowing his future career progression sacrificing it for Sata and PF who don’t care about him. When the nest govt comes in he can be sure to be retired and will be gone for good.
Solomon in your theats. U should have specifically singled out PF for warning. They were the instigators of VIOLENCE the last time. Let the PF cadres keep away. Mama Betty was NOT PF.
Oops! this one again: if u claim to be educated and then u don’t act like one, then u have never been to school. in other ways u shall know them by their fruits borrowing from the words of Jesus Christ.
How do you feel Solomon that you can be a doctor and be reduced to the levels of a cadre? you mean you went to school and got your doctorate just to come and abuse Zambians of the opposition? A lot of people thought you were IG material but hey even education has failed to civilise you. you certainly do not inspire the country and you just kissed the position of IG goodbye.
JERE SHOULD CATIGORICALLY CONDENM PF…..leave any other party alone. PF HOOGANS THINK MAMA BETTY WAY PF…this time HH please carry caterpolts….
I think officer has stated a noble thing here. Regardless of political affilliation,
violence will not be condoned. I wonder why the guy is being criticised
Jere becarefull, your words are same as warning Sata’s relatives not to attend funeral. By-the-way, is Jere now higher than bra-less Libongani?
what time did you awaken from your slumber sir..?the pf *****s love that kind of behaviour..watch the space..!
I think Jere is okey here,that seat is not easy children of God.What ever you do its either you are blamed by the governmnt or opposition.So,don’t blame him……..tomorrow you may have a simular possition.
Solomon, put your work in God’s hands and fear no man in the execution of your duties. The political party in power will always work against your principles but it is only your God who will stand for you beyond the tenure of individuals and political parties. As a Christian, an opportunity has provided itself for you to exhibit courage, professionalism and objectivity so that you leave a legacy worth writing in the Bible. Model yourself upon Daniel, Misheck, Shadrick, Abednego, Mordecai, Paul and many others in the Bible who courageously faced rulers. Political cadres are too small in comparison with your current authority.
Whoever misbehaves, please thibula, kwapula, timba. ponona
Solomon Jere i a Doctor of what? How come he is a cop.anser me quickly, i really wonder a PhD person in police of zambia??// why RB alina Unyenye, cryng too much even pa malilo ya mama betty??? How is KK doing is he at hom? What about property grabbing/sharing with the family we need to know , not only when a man dies then pipo talk about property, it can also happen when a woman dies first. Thier is no mention of Betty’s CV why we need to know her family too, KK was just a husband what about sisters, brothers, parents to betty, they are even the ones to talk about where to burry their Betty, not Kaunda
Timely warning.
The world is watching.
Let us please bury Mama Zambia peacefully, soberly and as one country.
May her soul rest in eternal peace.
Robala sentle Mama Zambia.
Jere ufunika ku JERE. The post on the death of Chiluba said you cant remove politics at the funeral of a politian so what are you saing. All we hate is holiganisim of PF. Isabi lyambila ukubola ku mutwe.
Dr. Jere just mobilize the recruits from Kamfinsa and Lilayi to be at hand to deal with wrong doers on that occasion because some groups are known for violence at any gathering. Recruits are still thirsty with centre slaps.
“Police will not condone anyone who will not adhere to these rules, regardless of their political affiliation” Modern day JUDAS JERE will keep you to your word in the HOPE you turned from your WICKED WAYS when dealing with POLITICIANS but keep in mind you have an alliance with the DEVIL and you perfectly know the fruits of the DEVIL and His Followers From the Dreaded Kingdom.
Isnt this guy some failed gospel musician? I mean he is a Cop too?
#24, WHEN YOU MARRY OFF YOUR DAUGHTER, NIECE OR SISTER, THEY ARE NO LONGER YOURS BUT THE ONE MARRIED TO. WHATEVER THAT THEY MAY HAVE IS FOR THE TWO, ONLY, IF POSSIBLE WITH THEIR OFFSPRING. NOT THE REST, FORGET! WORK FOR YOUR OWN FULL STOP