Government says motorised escorts are only exclusive to the Republican President and Vice-President,while ministers can access the privilege in some circumstances.
Chief Government spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni said the issue of motorised escorts must not be misunderstood because ministers sometimes request for escorts, in view of their tight schedules.
A motorised escort is a convoy of motor vehicles carrying very important persons and security personnel.
“It is normal once in a while for a minister to be escorted but not on a permanent basis,” Mr Sakeni, who is also minister of information and broadcasting said in an interview.[pullquote]The people entitled to motorised escorts are the President and Vice President, but it sometimes happens especially for the Defence and Home Affairs ministers when need arises[/pullquote]
Recent media reports that some ministers have been using motorised escorts sparked a debate.
“The people entitled to motorised escorts are the President and Vice President, all ministers are not entitled and this can be traced from the independence days to date…but it sometimes happens especially for the Defence and Home Affairs ministers when need arises,” he said.
He said any minister can however also make arrangements for motorised escort, with the Inspector General of Police depending on the urgency of the trip.
Mr Sakeni said motorised escorts also apply to ordinary citizens during funeral processions.
“It is simply an administrative matter and it should not be connected to anything. Any minister can ask and police can help to rush them through traffic…this happens at the discretion of the Inspector General of Police and depending on the urgency of the matter, just like in some cases of funerals ,” he said.
[Daily Mail]
GBM wilalila wetata.Boma ni boma…and at the end of the day it is the rule of the law that matters.
So GBM has been parading the streets of lusaka with motorised escorts? People you are wasting fuel.I hope they pay for the fuel and police staff out of their pockets.We all know there is nothing urgent these ministers have to attend to than putting more money in their pockets or abusing our taxes
“This happens at the discretion of the Inspector General of Police and depending on the urgency of the matter, just like in some cases of funerals ,” …… The dead must be respected but a funeral is not an urgent matter or an emmegency.
Ba sakeni since you got into government, this is the first ever sensible thing you have said without bias. Keep it up and congratulations
very dull spokesperson..sata you can do better!!
Like the often repeated line in treasure Island: “Fifteen men on a dead man’s chest, yo ho ho and a bottle of rum.” I am tempted to say that’s what is happening in the PF at the moment. Barely a year in power. Sad!
UPND is calling GBM with your money and that of HH you guys can make a rich team.Kasama Bye Elections here we come
So sad to read redundancy of that Sakeni. Don’t respond to such media out-cry, its better just to tell all ministers to stop it. Abantu bakali you PF, don’t take advantage of them.
Mr Sakeni has just explained it very well and simple to understand, and him being former provincial OP boss he understands issues like this.only the president and vice president are entittled simple.