Government acts on Police transport hitches

By KETRA KALUNGA GOVERNMENT has in preparation for the forthcoming general elections procured vehicles for the Zambia Police Service to ease their movements before and after the polls. Deputy Inspector General of Police, Charity Katanga disclosed that soon all provinces would receive a fleet of vehicles to cushion some of the operational challenges. Ms Katanga said this in response to Central Province Minister, Sydney Mushanga who raised concern on the transport challenges that police officers faced in the province when she paid a courtesy call on him at his office on Tuesday. Ms Katanga said police officers needed utility vehicles to facilitate movements as the country prepares for the general elections. “The budget was done for utility vehicles, we budgeted for all provinces, not only for central division but other divisions because we prepared for 2021 general elections,” Ms Katanga said. FILE PHOTO: Deputy Inspector General of Police, Charity Katanga“So soon, the provinces are going to get a fleet of vehicles to just cushion some of the operation challenges that they are having,” she said. And Ms Katanga disclosed that hard working officers would soon be promoted once the challenge with identification numbers is resolved. She explained that there has been a challenge with identification numbers which officers are supposed to occupy but assured that the government was looking into the matter.  “We want to send a message of hope to our officers that this will soon be looked into so that those that are well deserving are motivated because a demotivated police officer will not put in his best, so this will soon be a thing of the past,” she said. Mr Mushanga appealed that officers who have served the nation diligently be promoted.   Ms Katanga was on the tour of Central Province to appreciate the operational challenges that officers faced in their operations.