Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo has called for peaceful campaigns ahead of the Sesheke parliamentary and 7 local government by-elections across the country.
“I wish to appeal to all political parties participating in the on-going Parliamentary and Local government seats across the country to refrain from any form of violence and ensure that you remain civil at all times”
The Minister said campaign period is an opportunity for political parties to sale their party to the voters but not an opportunity to attack one another.
Hon Kampyongo also called on political parties across the country to respect security enforcers and refrain from attacking them at any given chance.
He said government through the Ministry of Home Affairs will not stand and watch police officers being verbally and physically abused by some disgruntled members of the public stating that affirmative action to protect the men and women in uniform is to be implemented as soon as possible to ensure that they can perform their duties effectively.
“Attacking police Officers on duty is a direct attack on the whole service and government. These men and women in uniform are constitutionally mandated to provide security to people and property regardless of once political political affiliation, ethnicity, color or region”
The Minister said it is unfortunate that some political parties have sought to disregard the police officers deployed in Sesheke to monitor the by elections by attacking them while they conduct their routine patrols.
Hon. Kampyongo has since directed Police Commissioners for both Eastern and Western provinces to ensure that they intensify patrols and general duties in all the affected areas to ensure that all political parties campaign peacefully.
The Minister who is also the Shiwang’andu Lawmaker Re-echoed President Lungu’ call for a peaceful Zambia before, during and after elections.
they should continue doing that we really thank them for that.
Why beat about the bush? Just say PF cadres must respect the Police officers instead of comfronting with the question..”Do you know who I am?”
Police should earn their respect by being seen to stop political violence perprated by PF. Anything short of such is a clear sign police are PF cares in uniform.
All the suffering we see in Zambia and Zimbabwe today us caused by the security forces not being realistic in handling ruling party political matters. Real political power is the hands of police and the army. It’s them who decide to let the ruling parties tell their cares to kill with impunity or steal tax payers money with impunity.
The moment police and the army get together and decide to topple the government they always succeed.
Therefore in both Zimbabwe and Zambia it’s upto the m armed forces to change the political dynamics of the countries and bring about sanity which will install hood leaders with vision to…
Therefore in both Zimbabwe and Zambia it’s upto the m armed forces to change the political dynamics of the countries and bring about sanity which will install hood leaders with vision to develop and stop people’s suffering.
Without the armed forces ZANU-PF PF and Zambian PF would not survive a single day in power.
Therefore the opposition parties have their work cutout to convince the armed wings to come on board on their side.
Any way what ever goes up must come down. ZANU-PF and Zambian PF will fall one day.
A police force perceived to be one sided can never be respected . Being respected does mean being feared. Fear and respect are miles apart.
My view is that respect is a two way street. Police will do well to respect the people it swore to protect as well. Warnings such as ‘ You will be met with the full wrath of the law’ coming from a senior police officer does not help but only breeds contempt.
The police should do so as well because political party leaders are adults and they are not their children. More importantly Kampyongo MUST respect political party leaders and behave as minister of home affairs not home Hooligans.
The caders who stoned and nearly brought down the helicopter of opposition leaders who were campaigning in the last Presidential election in Shiwan’gandu consistuency, have they been arrested including the one who sent them? And how about the ones who killed Mapalo in cold blood, and the ones who killed innocent Vespers who was just in her room at UNZA, have they also been arrested. Just asking
Kampyongo, how do you expect people to respect police when you take PF cadres and put them in a uniform that commands law and order to brutelise the UPND running around with scarfs round their heads like rumbo and maiming the very people they are supposed to protect, Shame on you sir and a big sham on the IG for allowing the ZP uniform to be disrespected by you and youur thugs.