Inspector General of Police (IG), Stella Libongani, says police officers are provoked when political cadres engage themselves in violent acts.
Ms Libongani says the duty of security officers is merely to observe and ensure that peace, law and order are maintained.
She, however, said police officers charge when violence erupts.Ms Libongani has since advised political parties and their cadres to desist from political violence, saying police officers and other security agents will not entertain barbaric acts.
The Inspector General was speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Mkushi district during her tour of Mkushi North, Chipata Central, Solwezi East and Kafulafuta where parliamentary by-elections will be held on July 25, 2013.
Ms Libongani urged the political parties participating in the fort-coming by-elections to campaign freely and assured that she has sent enough police officers to all the four areas.
[pullquote]opposition candidates have bemoaned the deployment of 594 police officers biased towards PF as an act of intimidation[/pullquote] Meanwhile opposition candidates for the next weeks Kafulafuta by-election have bemoaned the deployment of 594 police officers in the constituency as an act of intimidation.They said the deployment of so many officers who are biased towards the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) was meant to instill fear in
the constituents and that it was the major source of voter apathy.
The relationship between Police and opposition cadres are at an all time low.In February of this year a PF cadre was hacked to death during campaigns for the Livingstone by – election by an alleged fellow PF cadre.Blame was heaped instead on UPND.Dozens of UPND cadres were arrested including Mazabuka Member of Parliament Gary Nkombo who was charged with murder.Western Province Minister Obvious Mwaliteta also assaulted Nkombo in full view of the police and no medical help was rendered by the police while no arrests had been made. The UPND officials were then later released due to inefficient evidence linking them to the murder.
Police also recently harassed Lubansenshi Independent member of parliament Patrick Mucheleka when he held meetings in his constituency.However subsequent By-elections have been peaceful.
Inspector General of Police (IG), Stella Libongani expressed gratitude that political parties and other civil society organisations geared to monitor the polls in Mkushi North and other areas were complying to the men and women in uniform as well as adhering to the Electoral Code of Conduct.
And speaking earlier, Central Province Police Commanding Officer, Standwell Lungu, disclosed that Mkushi North has not recorded any violence incidenct since nominations were held.Commissioner Lungu said he does not hope to see any pockets of violence in the area.He quickly pointed out that there are security officers on the ground to adequately and fairly cover all the political players.The ruling PF and the opposition UPND, MMD, NAREP and UNIP are battling out in the field for the polls slated for next week, Thursday.
Wena , you’re just a PF tool. Just shut!
Please, say that again! You are on spot. This woman is just a PF tool indeed!
Police Officers should not be provoked by anything, their job is to uphold the law in an impartial manner
I wonder why people fight and speak with their lungs out, trying to force people to vote for a certain political party. Just sale off your ideas and plans. Parley called people to make submissions no cadre went there, not even some of the educated ones. Be board and focus.
By the way I.G libongani,,, give us an update on the death of mwaliteta`s cook.
I know that death of chanda`s case is in court… but mwaliteta`s cook!!!! no arrest, nothing no movement on the case..why?????
I once thought a woman would make a better leader in Zambia . I forget they eeasily get manipulated by sata-n
It is the selective provocation against opposition parties which is most worrying. Looks like we now have a PF Police Force.
Stella I’m sure you have a TV.
Make crime shows your staple from now on. Law and Order is a start. Right there, you’ll learn about police- community relations.
Maybe watching factionalized cases, you’ll pick up a thing or 2 to emulate.
I cant see anything newsworthy here.
zambianwatchdog.rsf.org. Please share.
copy that! Roger
Libongani is the most useless Police IG and senior Police officer to hailed from Western Province. She has failed to fit in the shoes of greats like Moses Mwala, Keli Walubita, Munalula just to mention a few. It becomes worse when you pit her against people like Fabian Chella, Zunga Siakalima, Francis Musonda. She is in her on class of incomptence. Imagine thieves can attack a Police Station in broad day light nowadays. Buy the time she goes the police will be reduced to a bunch of kapasos and office messangers.
This fool should just shut up! Nothing sensible or credible will ever come out of her mouth. Wield your power now but without integrity, Madam you are nothing and you are young enough to taste the consequences of your actions. PF won’t last forever. Just don’t turn round and cry “persecution”….
“Inefficient evidence” or insufficient evidence? Come on L/T!
I rarely find something laughable nowadys but this statement by the blogger above sent me into ribcracking laughter.
“Tornado” above says: “By the time she goes the police will be reduced to a bunch of kapasos and office messengers”.
Good Tornado, you shame those chaps who specialise in insults. Those make me feel sick – towards puking/vomiting.
Sister Libongani should have smiled at this one too. Be professional sister, it pays in the long run.
@Praise Be
I hope you are including me as an expert at insults. I would be flattered.
If not, please could you let me practice on you?
Paid Official Liar In Court Evidence
Is she saying that it is only te Opposition parties that provoke the Police? History shows that no Ruling party cadres have ever been arrested for violence.
Who in right mind provokes the police?
Where have you been lately? The police are not attacked – they lamentably fail todo their job time & time again.
Chiduku. you are a good man.
Definitely, I am not soliciting for insults.
Had the Editors exercised responsibility, we would still be enjoying our ZWD, don’t you think?
@Patriotic Zambian
No insults from me to you, Patriotic.
You make a fair point, but that would mean heavier censorship by the ZWD editors. I also don’t think that the attempted ban is related solely to insults. It’s related to any contrary opinion.
The strong language used by bloggers is a reflection of their frustrations. Also, sometimes you have to adapt your language to the target audience.
@ Patriotic Zambian
I’m a woman. And thank You for the compliment.
@ police are the ones…. With all due respect to you and your office maam, be serious
Please LT report on my behalf,that I cant access ZWD here in the US. I enjoy LT and ZWD.
I just gave you directions but the comment is under moderation.
Yesako buku ya pamanso
Libongani Buloshi ubo, were u even listening to yourself AI? Its a tragedy to be in Zambia now.
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