THE incident in which the Zambia Police Force on Sunday blatantly disobeyed the court order regarding the holding of the United Party for National Development (UPND) Kanyama Rally is a mockery not only to the rule of law but also to democracy in this country.
The heavy handedness with which the police are dealing with perceived political opponents of the government is frightening and creating a lot of resentment among most ordinary Zambians and contributing to people’s loss of trust, confidence and interest in institutions of governance in the country.
[pullquote]The mangled statements issued by senior police officers regarding the reasons for the cancellation of the planned rally raises a lot of concern and disbelief especially that some cadres from a named political party though armed to the teeth were allowed to march along Los Angeles Road displaying assorted “weapons” without police intervention[/pullquote].
It is however, a shame and amazing to see how a law enforcement agency such as the Zambia Police Force decides to disrespect and disregard the same law it is supposed to protect and guard jealously.
The mangled statements issued by senior police officers regarding the reasons for the cancellation of the planned rally raises a lot of concern and disbelief especially that some cadres from a named political party though armed to the teeth were allowed to march along Los Angeles Road displaying assorted “weapons” without police intervention. This was a clear exhibition of double standard when confronted with political matters on the part of the police.
Therefore, the Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) wishes to condemn the police action exhibited on Sunday and further remind the Police that their action is tantamount to abuse of freedom of assembly
of citizens as enshrined in the Zambian Constitution. Such actions don’t only bring a lot of ridicule and contempt to Police image but the government too.
It is for this reason that FODEP would like to appeal to all stakeholders interested in good governance to seize the constitution making process to advocate for security reforms in the country to ensure that governance institutions such as the Zambia Police Force serve people’s interest and not political ones and truly metamorphosed into service providers and not oppressive tools.
Without security reforms and going by the conduct of the police officers, one shudders to wonder how the situation will be towards elections if the police could behave ruthless when elections are still years away.
FODEP would like to appeal to the Minister of Home Affairs to take disciplinary action against officers who go against government policy of respecting the rule of law and continue to put the name of government in national and international disrepute and ridicule.
Zambians by nature are cowards only good at kupwapwata.which police reforms are you talking about when an institution can disrespect the bill of rights that the very constitution that creates it espouses.maybe lets focus on the inhabitability of police cells and prison more habitable so tht people are not dead scared of them.look atunza students demonstrating and yet everyone is on them condenming.
Developmental programs are failing lamentably. Unemployment seems to be above the capability of government so much so that suppression of statistic from CSO has become a norm.
There are no tangible policies to curb unemployment as there are no incentives for small businesses who should stir employment.
The government has turned to dictatorial means and sentiment such as imposing curfews so as to deviate attention from financial issues.
The increase of the retirement age from 55 to 65 in essence means graduates may wait for 10 more years to get a job. If the national budget is K15tn, each citizen must feel the impact of K10m at least.
PF supporters- Turkeys cheering for xmas!!!
No wander western province refused to participate in the new constitution because it will not be respected by the hyena.
It is true. Police are too busy with politicians instead of protecting ordinary citizens.
Looks like the police are indeed the biggest prostitutes…from UNIP to MMD to PF…as long as you are in power the police are your bubbies…this has to come to an end.
i think the only thing that can make zambians know that they need to unite, come up with good constitution and rule of law is cival war. it appears pipo are taking peace for granted. but if this kind of behaviour i mean stopping people from expressing themselves freely, insults against those who don’t agree with them and insults against other tribes and the like people will be forced to take the law into their hands and zambia will be divided further. i know the truth is bitter!
good article just waiting to see reactions by the pathetic failure goons
There is something about uniforms that make one forget there are real human beings wearing them. I wonder how many of these men and women believed they were being trained to protect and serve and now feel demoralised. They are like pinballs in a machine being kicked about. Which is okay for the ones who think it is the norm and in turn don’t mind going around knocking about a few heads themselves. Maybe it’s just a pay check with free avenues to vent pent up rage. Maybe political rallies are boring and even if they don’t agree with the bosses they are secretly relieved not to have hold back the yawns :)
the pfolice have lost it..we need to reform and retire all of those senior chaps..
FODEP and other NGO should push for the axing of the public order act from our laws. When MMD introduced this colonial law and used it on opposition, these FODEP guys were silent, what has changed? No more brown envelopes? This law should never have been enacted in the first place,but we allowed a little man hell bent on wiping out UNIP opposition introduce laws meant to oppress people.
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