Friday, March 29, 2024

Kanganja directs the immediate release of prisoners charged with misdemeanors in fight against Corona virus

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Inspector-General of Police, Kakoma Kanganja has directed that, where possible, all prisoners charged with misdemeanors and contravention offences should be released on police bond without undue delay.

Announcing the constitution of a committee to help fight coronavirus, to be spearheaded by the Director of Zambia Police Medical Directorate to provide support for a coordinated response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Police Chief said that the development is part of the Zambia Police contribution to the global response to the Coronavirus outbreak and is part of the Zambia Police contribution to the global response to the Coronavirus outbreak.

The Police Chief has stated that all Provincial Police Commissioners are expected to ensure that all police stations under their jurisdiction put in place precautionary measures which include restricting numbers of people visiting those in police detention.

He added that all Officers-in-Charge of Stations should see to it that detention facilities are not overcrowded with suspects.

He has since appealed to members of the public and various groupings to adhere to the provisions of the piece of legislation, following the enactment of the Statutory Instrument No. 22 restricting public mass gatherings to prevent infections.

And the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has commended the government for taking timely measures aimed at containing the COVID-19 pandemic to safeguard the lives of workers and the general public.
ZCTU has further extended solidarity and sympathy to the workers around the country who are facing health risks because of the COVID-19 outbreak which has recorded a large number of cases and deaths around the world.

ZCTU Secretary General, Cosmas Mukuka, observes that as government, workers and communities respond to the outbreak of COVID-19, the Union will together with its affiliates and workers endavours to play their role in promoting information, responsible public health practices and provision of community support to the most vulnerable in communities.

In a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Chewe proposed among others that all workers, whatever their formality, contract or status should be guaranteed that they will perform their duties in a safe working environment.

He indicated that public health measures and health care services for prevention and treatment of COVID-19 should be available for all workers and their families, regardless of their residential status.

The ZCTU has further called on the government to encourage the formation of a network within the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) member countries to monitor the spread and development of measures aimed at combating COVID-19.

Meanwhile, Stakeholders and traditional leaders in Manyinga district convened a meeting today to discuss the coronavirus and other diseases affecting their communities.

In addressing traditional leaders, Manyinga stakeholders chairperson, Patrick Kamboyi said the fight against corona virus should not be left to government officials alone but all community members should be involved.

Mr Kamboyi said the disease prevention and national development need concerted efforts by all stakeholders including traditional leaders.

Speaking at the same event, district public health officer, Ben Mukumbi implored all village traditional leaders to encourage their subjects in keeping themselves healthy and protected from diseases such as the coronavirus.

Mr Mukumbi said avoiding handshakes, in the meantime, is not a violation of traditional norms, but one of the recommended measures in preventing the spread of coronavirus.

He further implored traditional leaders to sensitive their subjects on utilizing handwashing facilities and also to seek early medical attention, whenever any member of their community falls sick.

And Headman, Samufunda of Samufunda village in senior chief Sikufele’s chiefdom has commended government and stakeholders for educating traditional leaders on health matters on time, especially with the coronavirus.

The traditional leader has since implored stakeholders to continue engaging traditional leaders on health issues and national matters so that local people are enlightened and remain heathy.

20 COMMENTS

    • I hope those gassing suspects will not walk to freedom that easily but have their day in court so we know what motivated them. Let’s not let go of that issue.

    • Hopefully this is not another trick to release individuals allegedly involved in gassing!

      God bless Zambia.

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    • True and that is a possibility. Remember and the article states. They are being release on Bond. So should they commit a crime. The surety is liable.
      This may sound like a deterrent to the person signing the bond. Again it also shows the authorities the caliber of person being offered a chance. Bond means one has to report to the Police station once a week. Now if youre going toabuse your opportunity to prove yourself worthy. Then society should (for lack of a better word) lock you up and throw away the keys. Or Go straight to Prison…

  1. The world’s justice and economic systems are being exposed for the frauds that they are. So is there now an SI that will ensure depopulation of prisons and a new way of treating misdemeanors? Suddenly taxes are being lowered, social protection is kicking into gear – ifyabupuba fye. So you have been ill-treating your populations all this time huh? This is like buying chicken to only impress the guests. Mwe fipuba mwe!

    • Ba Kassala – Please look at the bigger picture. Money circulates in the economy. If this circulation is disrupted. It affects grow. It affects certain individuals that are vulnerable. In higly organized and developed economies this happens very quickly. In the US waiters and waitress dont get a pay check but depend on “tips”, which often isnt much. They pay taxes but when the institution they work for is closed, as we have read in Italy and most countries. These extenuating circumstances means the business maybe unsustainable to will close temporarlily or permanently based on capitalization. Government comes in with fiscal measures to assist in these times to help business state in business or individual through tax breaks as Obama did in 2008 or George Bush did in 2003 and Trumps…

    • Caring Citizen – the article states and I wish the PR department of ZP should release a press statement aside from reporting what the Inspector General has said.
      Those that being released are people being held in Police cells awaiting further investigation or court for MISDEMEANORS or Contravening crimes (aka petty crimes). Anyone who.has committed a capital offence the process is different. This law is being adhered to. Bond still applies.

  2. It is the sensible thing to do. Majority of countries are following suit. The virus is unprecedented and therefore calls for unprecedented measures to ensure the safety of all citizens irrespective of criminal record status

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  3. Unless they mean people being held in police cells, suspects as opposed to Prisoners. Indeed, that is what they mean, seeing as the requirement of a police bond can only be applied to a suspect, not a convicted prisoner.
    Prisoners can only be pardoned by the President or the Commissioner of Prisons were applicable.
    With that being said, we ought to have measures were we try as much as is possible to avoid crowding our cells and prisons.
    Well done to Kanganja, never thought I d ever say that.

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  4. P.F Cadres responsible for all sorts of heinous crimes are now free to roam the streets & heap more misery on law abiding citizens, whist gearing to intimidate &. brutalise voters from the opposition. The criminals will then vote enmasse for Dununa Sontapo Mukula Mw!Bala in 2021.

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    • PWII – Please read the article and those understand.
      When you go to any Police station take time to read the posters on the Police walls.
      The Inspector General is speaking about those people who are detained by Police. I repeat Detained by Police not in Prison. There is a distinction or rather difference. The Poster states the Officer in Charge can release any detainee at his discretion or a detainee can be released with working surety/ies on BOND.
      These people in cells are being released on BOND and will still have to meet the bond conditions. IE report to the Police every week until they go to court or investigations are complete. Look before you jump. Read before you comment. Ask if youre not sure.

  5. Alas, who is a prisoner? I have never head about a prisoner getting a police bond. I believe they mean detainees at police stations.

    • Timbwi – I totally agree. And this why I suggest that Zambia Police PR should have released a Press statement in addition to the reported statement by the Inspector General. Further, I must say our reporters need to do better. Their construction is bad and vocabulary even worse. We need Lusaka Times to do better.
      The proper term is detainee. As those people in Police cells are arrested awaiting investigation or to be charged. Some may have been actual charged but the issue maybe the matter is between the police and Public Prosecutor. But in this case those to be released are not capital crime offenders but misdemeanor and Contravening (Traffic) offences.
      The message seems lost between what was said and reported. Hence my suggestion of the actual press statement. I imagine between your…

  6. Mwami 1 must also reduce the number of traffic police officers on our roads, they’re on a rampage collecting money at every opportunity. It’s like they’ve been tasked to raise money for the Eurobond!

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