Inspector General of Police (IG) Stella Libongani has warned that any political party that will be found in breach of the provisions of the Public Order Act on holding public processions will face the wrath of the law.
The opposition UPND and MMD have indicated intentions to hold demonstrations over the constitution with or without Police permission.
But Ms. Libongani has told a media briefing in Lusaka this afternoon that the Police will use all vested powers as a principle law enforcement agency to ensure that law and order is maintained in the country.
She however says people wishing to demonstrate are free to do so provided they follow the provisions of the Public Order Act.
The Inspector General of Police who flanked by her Deputy Dr. Solomon Jere and other senior ranking command officers, has also directed all Provincial Police Commissioners in the country to ensure that the holding of public processions in their respective areas of command are in compliance with the Public Order Act.
And Ms. Libongani has explained that the heavy presence of Police at Parliament in recent days is meant to ensure that law and order is maintained so that the House’s proceedings are not interrupted.
She says this was done in view of agitations by some opposition political parties that indicated plans to demonstrate at Parliament to demand for the new constitution without prior notifications to the Police.
Did I hear someone say the letters, IG stand for Ignorant Girl?
This right here is why we need a new constitution. How do you threaten people who want to peacefully express themselves? Freedom of speech and assembly are supposed to be enshrined in any constitution
Scared of getting fired . Agony is working for a bunch of hypocrites in the government of Michael Chilufya Sata.
Why is it that the Zambia Police “Force” is always confrontational everytime opposition talks about staging a demonstration? If they go to inform them about demonstrating they refuse. Police have got more powers for sure which is absurd to say the list. Democracy does not confine to the ruling party only. Police must be professional really, these are the same elements that cause people to become confrontational as well and war if put in a corner.
I’m sure you meant to say, “least” as opposed to “LIST”
Dogs from Pf just demonstrate and climb on top of police vehicles. This bitch does nothing but when it comes to the opposition she’s very confrotational. The ***** in state house aka Chumbu Munshololwa is the fool she tries to impress. Wanya iwe hule you won’t have a job in 2 years time. Mafi yobe.
Kambachabe,zamali and splash, your contributions lacks the depth of understanding law and order. Politics of confrontation, anarchy and lawlessness always have bad end results. Even in USA or Britain political parties or any organisation wanting to demonstrate notify the police as the enforce law and order, if there is intelligence to suggest the May be troubles the police will advise the people or ask them to demonstrate after wards. People have the right to demonstrate peacefully and to respect other peoples rights of movement but this is not the case. In 1994 UNIP did the same HH is doing as he said they will make PF fail to govern by all means. UNIP was beaten at high court by the paramilitary and that was the end. HH will regret for anarchy & confrontation. Violence breeds violence
Id.iot how is demonstrating equivalent to anarchy and violence?
@ Pafwenamwine… As evidently you consider yourself “learned” person, please enlighten us by quoting from any Statutory provision where Inspector General of Zambian Police has a Constitutional right to issue such ridiculously biased statement?
On the issue of your “learned”analysis, please rush to collect your pieces of silver before BoZ declares bancrupcy.
Ops… bankruptcy
The demand for a constitution is a just cause. Zambians should exercise their right and demonstrate peacefully calling for the enactment of a new constitution. Any brutal action by the Police should be part of the dossier to be used in prosecuting Libongani and group once they leave office.
Look at what happened in Ukraine- the people have the power to chase dictators. I therefore urge Zambians to be prepared to die for this just cause. Students from Unza and other learning institutions this is your fight also. For how long shall Zambians be mocked by statements from PF?- now they say they cant enact the constitution because of poverty levels. It is in fact due to lack of a good constitution that we have highy poverty levels . Let us all camp at parliament . Let us do like Egypt.
@mwine you seem to have selective amnesia, why is it that PF cadres just march at any time. UPND and others are repeatedly refused demonstrations. You should understand that according to the law all you need is notice not permit but in this country we seem to have laws for the ruling party and others for the opposition. You talk of the USA yet you’ve never been there because if you’ve been there you would know that people are free to express themselves. Mrs Mulongwe (IG) please be professional you know that you’ve not been partial in all this
IG,
!. The right to peacefully demonstrate its enshrined in the current Constitution;
2. Any preemptive statement from your office is a blunt breach of Fundamental Rights;
3. Instead of politicizing Police Force, why you do not join openly Party of Failed demagogues?
By-the-way, the same Zambian Police has allowed Copperstone University to establish a SUPER-NOISY CENTRE at 4685 Jambo Drive in Riverside, kitwe. The residence in the neighbourhood are outraged and disgusted at this kind reckless anarchy evolving in Kitwe. Decency is unknown in the annals of Zambia Police Service.
Besides, the management of the Copperstone University is projecting a bad image of their University by renting a house to generate NOSE instead of good academic credentials. Potential employers, some of whom live in Riverside, will think twice employing a Copperstone University graduate.
-”Law and order exist for the purpose of establishing justice and when they fail in this purpose they become the dangerously structured dams that block the flow of social progress.”
-”Never forget that everything Hitler did in Germany was legal.” MLK Jnr.