Press statement by the Inspector General of Police
The Zambia police has noted with great dismay the propensity by some political leaders to issue public statements which are aimed at misleading the general public. These statements are in most cases not only false but also have the potential to divide the country on partisan lines or place of origin.
Some of the statements are alarming to the nation. Others are bent on inciting anger, hatred, ridicule or contempt to the duly elected head of state.The police have been aware of all these activities and at all times have fully investigated these statements. However, the police has been restrained from instituting criminal proceedings in the interest of maintaining peace and order in the nation. It’s not the interest of the police to see fellow citizens being arrested, detained or indeed sent to prisons. In such matters we have always considered arrest as our last resort.
[pullquote]we will apply the law fair and firmly and this should not be seen as political harassement.[/pullquote]
However if people do not change and want to remain adamant by committing crimes and causing public disorder or hatred against others, we will apply the law fair and firmly and this should not be seen as political harassement.
We are fully aware that during a rally in Lusaka’s Kabwata township some speakers made several unsubstantiated statements which are criminal in nature.Statements such as those alleging that the president and his government are violent and are bringing disorder in the country or that the president has allocated k1.5 billion to the first lady’s office without explaining to the public how budget processes or creation of budget lines is done by government is only meant to bring hatred and contempt. This kind of behaviour has been exhibited at different fora.
Today(15th February 2013) while featuring on the UNZA radio the leader of United Party for National Development made some allegations to the effect that there is a mini state of emergency in Western province and that people are being detained secretly .This is not true.
It is also not true that the police have not been accepting notifications for them to hold rallies or processions.The police in the interest of maintaining law and order has always given advise to the UPND depending on the situation and whether or not the notification conforms to the law.Where the notifications have been in conformity with the law and there are no other impendiments police have allowed the party to proceed.For instance they were allowed to proceed with a procession to parliament and present thier petition.
The police therefore wishes to warn political players and the general public to avoid committing crimes in the name of freedom of expression by issuing statements that have the potential to divide the country or bring hatred.Freedom of expression is not absolute even under the constitution and as such it must be exercised with the responsibility that it deserves.
Stella M. Libongani
Inspector General of Police
15/02/2012
Defend your job my aunt. For sure you are not working according to your ethics.
HH says
“People who write statements for Sakeni should tell us whether it is not true that our freedoms to hold rallies and meetings have not been curtailed”? Is it not true that some of us are facing court litigation for merely visiting our people in various places such as market?” Is not true that our Kanyama rally was cancelled on flimsy grounds that the police would be at the stadium yet they found policemen to block the rally? Is it not true that our Chawama rally was cancelled?,” Hichilema asked.
This foolish woman will end up at the Hague.They say silence is golden and one would expect pipo as dull as this woman would adhere to this.The lack of foresight by an African is amazing.Cant this fool see that Sata is in the afternoon of his life.Does she think if Sata was no longer there PF would continue to reign with the incompetence we have so far seen?The sharp ones are very quiet and enjoying the gravy train quietly whilst the dull ones like this woman and Kabimba are making noise from mountain tops.
With freedom comes great responsibility…
All forms of freedom are relative and besides:
There is a very thin line between freedom and anarchy
Indeed freedoms are relative. Reading the above statement attributed to the Police Chief, one would expect to see some arrests and charges against the PF malitia that turned up with all manner of weapons at the PF rally in Kabwata. However, that has gone quiet and one wonders why? Yes freedom is relative and in this case dependent on which party you belong to. Nothing said by HH is likely to cause “alarm or breach the peace” is Zambia more so than what comes out of the Post and Sakeni.
Well spoken IG. They can not have it both ways. People should understand that the Police are there to serve and protect you and not to arrest you.
is this woman normal?
She is suffering from her mensrual cycle. She will normalise
Yes she works for me. And you should judge her by my criteria of sanity. And remember I have a very low standard!
Your people are suffering in barotse land and all we get from you is thi crap.One day and only one day ……..
There is no such Bantustan as Barotseland. There is only Western province. If anyone wants a country where Lozi is spoken they must go join their kith and kin in Botswana. Western province has many other tribes in it. If Lozi’s are so keen on Barotseland, why don’t they start by moving to and investing there first. Instead, most law abiding Lozis are happy to live in a country called Zambia, although they are also proud to be Westerners.
@MUkame, spoken like someone with a syphilis infested brain. What is Western Province? You have no right to name other peoples homes, stinking kolwe. It is BULOZI aka Barotseland. Western Province? It is Bulozi ******! As natives of that area . We dont say ‘I am going to Western Province’! NO! We say ‘Niya kwa Bulozi or Kwa Hae’ . So ****off with your Western Province. As natives that rubbish does not exist in our vocabularly. Why are you sweating over the name of an area which is not your home! And who are the other tribes you continue referring to? How many times are you **** going to be reminded that ‘Lozi’ does not refer to a tribe? Please concern yourself with your Muchinga. Oo Nja ya mutu!
@ Mukame. Please learn to save yourself from ignorance. Lozi is not a tribe. It is a complex language group. Lozi comprises dialect/language groups that include Kwangwas, Luyanas, Subiyas, Makomas, Nkoya (which is a language constituting Mashasha, Lushange, Lukolwe, Mbwela), Nyengos, Mbundas, Mashi, Mbowe, Kwandi, Mbukushu, Simaa, and Totela. Lozis like Makomas and Subiya can only understand each other in Lozi (which is a Sesotho dialect). These groups were either subjugated by the assumed superior group the Luyanas/Kwangwa or did seek protection, thereof. Thus constituting what was historical called the Kingdom of Barotseland.
@Mukame or Mr Polo Neck, telling Lozis to move out of Bulozi? Their ancentral home…Hae! That is weird! What next? Tswanas to move out of Botswana! Ndebeles to move out of North and South Matebeleland, Zulus out of Kwa Zulu Natal, Tamils out of Tamil Nadu, Scots out of Scotland, Welsh out of Wales. Mate you and your PF friends need to grow up and get used to the name Bulozi like the other guy is saying. Lozis , even people who are none Lozis actually refer to the province as Bulozi! And this has nothing to do with the so called independence movement. Just get used to it. To Lozis; Kwa Bulozi ki kwa Hae! You seem to have this warped sense of nationalism were you like the territory but hate the people who live in it. This is the problem you and Sata seem to have.
Your people are suffering in barotse land and all we get from you is this crap.One day and only one day ……..
Your job is to arrest anyone found wanting, the courts also are there to allow an arrested person prove his/her innocence. So ba Libongani don’t say that u have been restraining to act in order to maintain peace and order when in fact the general citizenry is maintaining peace and order on its own. I’m avoiding to think that you are failing in your duties bwana officer!
“6.0 The Barotseland Situation
We are greatly disturbed about events surrounding the Barotseland situation in the Western Province.
We are aware of a climate of intimidation and serious human rights violations currently prevailing in the Western Province: abductions of citizens; arbitrary arrests and individuals being subjected to long periods of interrogations, even torture. These acts are totally unacceptable. They must stop forthwith. This country is not in a state of emergency. We are not convinced that a de facto state of emergency should therefore exist in the Western Province.” – January 27 Catholic Bishops Pastoral Statement
I just think this woman is been used by certain forces.I believe she knows that people in western province detained for no proper reason. I hope this will not caught up with her one day
The police have been aware of all these activities…….. However, the police has been restrained from instituting criminal proceedings in the interest of maintaining peace and order in the nation.
Sissy when carry out the law you have to be consistent. A criminal activity needs to be dealt with there and then.You can’t say we didn’t do it in the interest of maintaining peace and then wake up a few weeks later and you want to arrest them. You are not a judge but a police woman you just have to follow the law.That is why we are beginning to think you are just harassing opposition parties.PF issues alarming statements all the time and you do not comment.
It is not that simple, especially with political cases. You can easily turn a villain into a hero. Some people deliberately provoke the system, and when they are arrested they cry foul hoping to gain political mileage out of it. We wont give them the pleasure, but when they get out of hand, we will deal with them.
Is this woman serious with what she is saying. All i see is nonsense. Even your own people in the western you are not aware what is happening.Are you not aware about the 1.5billion or maybe you are confused with the rebased issue here?And how many rallies has the opposition been allowed to hold?Do not count the Kabwata one because that one it was through force of the opposition thats why you had to allow it in last few hours. Remember days are number and yo will be held accountable for your deeds…………………
Madam Sir , the very fact that you are issuing a warning to the opposition clearly explains why they seek to go to a natural country to express their views. You need to start with your relative the President whose remarks are not only dividing our country but slowly isolating us from the international community. You need a lesson in how to manage policing in a democratic country. Madam sir, the fact that we are hearing that some of your officers have been stealing from the dead speaks volumes. The police force is failing under your leadership.
Go back to grade one,you cannot address a woman as madam sir!!Every time HH opens his mouth is either lying or insulting someone.It is wrong and you cannot support this kind of behaviour for a man wishing to be the head of state.I miss Mazoka!!
@ life is a journey… you sound like a disgruntled child, are you related to this woman?. I can address her any how I like and if you’re not intelligent enough to realise that I’m using a comedian’s catch phrase when I use “Madam sir” then it’s you who needs to go back to school. voice you own opinion and stop barking on other people’s comments atase!
This is rubbish.. Our police are the most useless… They lack professionalism.. The whole police system in Zambia requires full overhauling and employing true professionals who can’t be influenced by politicians..
Zambia the only country I know where opposition hold a rally just to insult a duly elected president. Shameless people
Yes I remember when Sata used to sing at rallies in 1991 calling on Chiluba to bring a whip so as to whip a mad man (Kaunda). The same Sata pointed at a Cabbage in his hand and told the crowd at a Mtendere rally that this is what they had voted for!
point man ,these oppositions are so bitter that they can kill over power especially NM the highest he’s gone is vice president for 5 months before he was expelled by the late president mwanawasa for holding a press conference and praising himself
You must be mad. The one who starts insulting is the president and you think every Zambian is a Bemba to stomach those Cobra insults? This Sata needs the male ‘ALANGIZI’ to sober him up. Maybe it is the illness that makes him think like this. Was wondering why even the IG has to think like him. I thought that problem should come once in a month to her but looks like she needs medical attention to stop the problem otherwise she will have no fluids left.
libongani or whatever u are damnly called,u ve no right to issue statements as if u are a mini politician.the pf has been making threatening statements but u ve done nothing about it, yet u shamelessly claim firm and fair application of the law.it’s a mistake to give such a responsibility to a woman.women dont think straight when confronted with mammoth tasks.to hell with u!!!
Excuse you, how dare you!!!! is your mother not a woman?? or were you born of a man?? the world does not need shallow minded boys like you running around masquerading as men. REAL MEN value and respect women!!! Yea so Stella Libongani is not doing a good job, it could have been a man in that position performing just as badly as she is. YOU DISGUST ME!!!!!
Start with sekeni .his statement are bound to divide the country.IG only see the opposition.what a country.we are tired of your behaviour .please try to change and work professionaly.
HH has completely lost direction.The man has nothing to say but keep dreaming loudly!!Shame,we cannot have such a misguided man as our president.It will not happen,NEVER!!
You already have misguided man as our president. It is to late now.
Oh dear! We are completely losing it now, arent we?
Honestly speaking,this woman is being forced to say those words,otherwise she is trying to protect her job ndiye mwene adyesela bana.One thing she shuld know is that days are numbered and that her employers are not people to trust,she knows that being a puppet is what will keep her job no wonder she has been uttering words like sekaseka k.E n way in pf one has to be a puppet to keep ones job.
life is a journey you will have HH for president , we used to say that about Sata decades ago, now he is President
Fusek you bitc*h, what about alarming statements coming from the ruling party? If the president thinks RB is seeking to run away from answering for his “crimes” why don’t you do something about it instead of notifying the nation. I have no respect for you because you have proved to have no morals and spine. Trolip
Disorder in court! The police are looking for every excuse to again arrest HH. If PF want suuport from Zambians, they should practice proper democracy. Compete fairly with the opposition and give every Zambian a chance to chose who one thinks is the best political party. If they continue panicking by using the police to intimidate the opposition, people always tend to support the underdog. PF should learn from their situation when they were in the opposition. STOP PANICKING PF
“The Zambia police has noted with great dismay the propensity by some political leaders to issue public statements which are aimed at misleading the general public. These statements are in most cases not only false but also have the potential to divide the country on partisan lines or place of origin.”
Who is she talking about? UPND or PF?
Bo stella,the thugs you arrested for disturbing the Kabwata rally when r u taking them to Court? I hope you haven’t released them.
LT this is a warning to all parties and leaders and not only UPND.The reference to UPND is just an example. Masebo issued a wrong statement in Livingstone which attracted bad responses from those that were targeted by her.
There is a dire need for credible leadership in Zambia across the board as it now looks like its free for all country whose direction is not clear at all
Zambian news is not building and underdevelopment. we can’t spend our energy to0 just think and plan what we are going to insult. Zambia truly need intellectual, prudent and honest people if it can develop..what do we benefit us to just keep on insulting without even working. People of Zambia, we really have to change..Has politics become so cheap that everyone would think will one day become a president just overnight. i think this time lets work and the time when we will need top change the president will come..Even the so called checks and balances, is it by insulting or ridicule that we will make our government work? How is this helping the people whom you think you want to rule in future? It’s very painful to think, that all that comes out of your mouth is only insults. Aren’t you…
The tribal remarks made by Silvia in Livingstone this week are far worse than anything I have heard from opposition. IG’s real problem is to keep arresting the opposition when the ruling is doing the same.
The issues HH raised were clearly stated in the Catholic Bishops’ pastoral letter. HH is simply re-stating facts. Why did nt Sakeni, IG etc react with the same thoughtlessness. Why all this reaction when its HH??? Unfortunately HH is making sense than you all – over-zealous and failed leadership in power
“that the president has allocated k1.5 billion to the first lady’s office without explaining to the public how budget processes or creation of budget lines is done by government is only meant to bring hatred and contempt.”
This is confusing mwe! Who should’ve explained to the public about this process, Gov. or HH?
Piti full pitifull
In Zambia the police will always safeguard the interests of the Govt in Power, if they start working professionally heads will roll
period.
Zambia needs prayers
Zambians u are drunk with too much freedoms especially upnd and Nevers such that u have lost the sense of responsibility.The truth will always win and very soon Sata and pf will b vendicated.Watch the space!Bravo mama Libongani!
Stop falsehood and tell what u shall do for Zambia.Hh and Nevers are worse that the leakweak,whatever boss but z holed in an embass in de Uk.What r u reporting about Zed who has let u free while u grossly misbehave.Madness.madness then downfall.
IF U THINK BY WISHING SATA’S DOWNFALL WILL TAKE U 2 STATE HOUSE ,WAINYELA U EMBACILES! SATA NEVER IMPOSED H/SELF ON US ND MUST RESPECT UR CHOICE. STOP THREATENING UR DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS ND WAIT 4 2O16 WHICH WE’L STILL GV 2 HIM,HE Z A REAL GUD PRESIDO.
I agree with our I.G that freedom is not absolute. But I think at the same time, the police appear to be excessive on the opposition. Who is supposed to explain to the public how budgets are made? I thought this is politics and the opposition are under no obligation to explain the budget process. In a democracy, I think its govt who should answer to those concerns by the opposition and explain the process, and let cizitens judge for themselves. Further, how many rallies have the UPND applied for, and how many has the police granted? How many rallies did the PF apply for after the election of RB and how many were they denied? Is it contemptuos to complaign concerning govervance? We need serious prayers indeed. Lets all help HE Mr. Sata to save our land. But we need tolerate criticism.
I’m a strong proponent of gender equality BUT what we have is disappointing in Zambia with these women in these high positions.
Tell them someone missed a point somewhere
Stella Libongani need to be advised that as a civil servant, she must refrain from pronouncing political threats. The majority of Police Officers are not amused and will not dance to her political tunes.
the statement was written in 2012 and why posted today?
Seems Libomgani is now a politician. On the day the Commonwealth announce that they will look at the Zambian case; Libongani decides to present more evidence that what the opposition is complaining about is actually true. Honestly these PF people are very dull. Kezeli, fokung muno ikuzezanga feela kwateng. Honestly what prompted you to say this? What you have issued here is a political statement that has nothing to do with your job. Please keep your butt out of the K1.5 billion issue. This is a political issue not a police matter! Batili Mme mu sitoto luli!
This is pathetically ignorant of the I.G, to say the least. Does she understand professionalism – or indeed her role? First of all, in what capacity is she commenting on an issue such as the allocation of 1.5 billion to the first lady’s office? Or whether the PF has been accused of being a violent party? Is she a politician? Secondly, are statements that were made in relation to these issues arrestable? Her whole demeanour is laughable. Politicians accuse each other of all sorts all day long. Unless someone has clearly committed an offence, I do not see what gives the I.G. the audacity to lecture to opposition parties on what she deems they should say or not say.
It is amazing how the PF and the whole state machinery have applied all their energies to ‘sorting out’ the opposition…
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