Deputy Inspector General of Police, Charity Katanga says the police service is consolidating the deployment process of police officers ahead of the August 12 general elections. Ms Katanga says the deployment process is being tailored to adequately respond to the increased number of polling stations that have now increased to 12, 152.
The Deputy IG said the increment from the 2016 numbers has been brought about by the turning of certain streams into polling stations by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).
She was speaking in Chipata when she paid a courtesy call on Eastern Province Acting Permanent Secretary Josphat Lombe.
“We need more manpower compared to last time, so that we respond to the current demand. And that’s what we are finalising on,” she said.
The Deputy IG said the tailored process will ensure enough manpower is assigned to man the entire election process, as well as unforeseen circumstances.
She added that her officers in the province are closely working with other security wings to ensure law and order is maintained.
“I have been briefed on the situation in the province, and it is fair. Emphasis is being laid on ongoing collaborations with other security wings,” she added.
The Deputy IG said during her visit to the province, she will feature on local radio stations and conduct patrols to get first-hand information on what is obtaining on the ground during this campaign period.
“I will also visit Lundazi to check on the security situation following some pockets of violence that have been recorded in the district,” she said.
And the Acting Permanent Secretary has commended men and women in uniform for maintaining law and order in the province
He said the recorded spates of violence in Lundazi were successfully contained.
Mr Lombe informed Ms Katanga that the police have been conducting themselves in a professional manner to maintain public confidence in the service, as he has been urging everyone to get involved in maintaining law and order by reporting any suspicious activities so that the police can move in.
“We need to view the police as non-partisan and professionals because they have managed to operate professionally. Our men and women in uniform are doing a great job. As such, I want to call on the community members their part,” he said.
Looking forward to hearing the dates for the deployment period
HH should keep Charity instead of disposing her as ambassador to South Sudan.
When is confidence being restored in you as directed by the President, at the lowest ebb ever
I related with KK stopping eating meat due the colonial mistreatment when driving from Lusaka to the Copperbelt, I was stopped by a police officer at Kafulafuta and advised to park with many other vehicles in transit to allow Kanganja and Kapyongo to join the road as they were addressing some meeting in Kafulafuta about 6 months ago, and we were parked there for over an hour, all vehicles from both directions and that is when I started flying to the Copperbelt for all my trips, enforcing things that are not even in the law, me who is paying road tax and other taxes to keep these chaps in employment, I should be waiting for them to join the road
As government we are working and supporting the police in this project. We cannot allow a situation where upnd thugs run amock every time they lose elections.this time we ask police to discipline them starting with their afro haired tribal leader
Zambia Republic Police we want to believe that you’ll be professional to allow a free and transparent election.
Security comes first.We have learnt lessons from past Experience to be alert for any form of violence from any political party.lets show Africa and world that we can manage
Elections without violence.