Zambia Police commended for banning protests

The Southern African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) and the Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) have commended the Zambia Police Service for banning protects during the mourning period for late President Michael Sata.

SACCORD executive director Boniface Cheembe said the move to ban unnecessary protests and demonstrations was in the best interest of the nation which he said was bigger than any one individual.

Mr. Cheembe said the untimely death of President Sata deserves to be observed with due diligence of respect, calm, unity and peace.

He said with respect to the Zambian and African culture of respecting the dead, there was need for the country to put in place measures that will ensure that the late President is mourned with a heightened sense of respect, unity, peace, honour and integrity.

Mr. Cheembe said it is equally important that the political leadership within the ruling party, the Patriotic Front (PF) that is charged with the responsibility of ensuring smooth and peaceful transition acts and behaves in an exemplary manner.

He urged leaders in the PF to desist from engaging into any kind of politicking during the mourning period, saying this may be destructive not only to the ruling party but the nation at large.

He said the top leadership of the PF has the responsibility to engage in extensive consultations and exercise tolerance for them to be able to work with everyone, even people they may not like or agree with in terms of political orientations or views just like the late President did.

Mr. Cheembe said the move to ban protests can only be effective if the top leadership within the PF equally help the nation by burying their political differences and work together in the interest of the nation.

He further stated that members of the public should demand for accountability and transparency from political leaders by way of calling for politics of ideas which was the basis upon which solutions are found to problems facing the people.

Mr. Cheembe also urged the Zambia Police Service to ensure they remain objective, professional and impartial in the discharge of their mandate especially during the mourning period.

And FODEP executive director McDonald Chipenzi urged the police to be categorical on the types of protests that it has banned.

Mr. Chipenzi said people have a democratic right to carry out protests or demonstrations on matters of national interest hence the need for the police to be clear on this matter to avoid getting people entangled in things they do not understand.

He also called on the police to ensure that peace prevails in the country by avoiding the use of forceful language which may be intimidating but should strive to use service language that is educative and correctional.

Meanwhile, the FODEP executive director has congratulated and commended opposition political parties and members of the public for the discipline, maturity and morality shown during the mourning period for late President Sata.

He said for the first time in the history of Zambia, the opposition parties have behaved exceptionally well during such a period by not trying to gain political capital out of such an event.

Mr. Chipenzi said the ruling party needs to follow suit and give President Sata a befitting send off.