STOP EULOGIZING CRIMINALS, POLITICIANS CAUTIONED

By SIMON MUNTEMBA and KALOBWE BWALYA INSPECTOR General of Police Kakoma Kanganja has warned against indiscipline and vowed to recommend for instant dismissal any officer abrogating rules. Mr Kanganja has also strongly advised politicians to stop eulogizing criminals in the name of politics or else their parties risk finding all its erring members behind bars during the time of elections. He has further warned that his command will not condone any unruly behavior as Zambia Police service has no room for indiscipline officers. Mr Kanganja said it is critical now more than ever before for officers to maintain law and order while remaining disciplined. He however warned that any trainee that would be found absconding from training without permission, or indulging in alcohol and illicit sexual relationships and any form of offences that may contravene the college regulations will face instant dismissal. He said this when he launched the Aerobics Mania at Lilayi police training college to police trainees yesterday. He however stated that the program forms the bedrock of the Command’s efforts to promote and inculcate the culture of physical health and fitness among police officers and trainees alike. He said police officers need to fully understand that physical fitness in police service begins from the training school, therefore the need to embrace the same after deployment to different police formation across the country. Meanwhile, College commandant Charles Mbita disclosed that 1,347 recruits have since completed stage one which was a combination of some subjects from stage one to stage give . Dr Mbita said that this has since resulted in being equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills required to efficiently participate in the policing of the 2021 general elections. And Mr Kanganja said no any sane leader should watch violence being perpetrated under their watch without any action being taken. He said it was disappointing that some politicians still want to embrace the route of violence even after signing peace accords and committing themselves to conducting peaceful political activities. Mr Kanganja said it was disheartening that some political violence happens in the presence of political leaders who were on record committing themselves to conducting peaceful campaigns. “We have received reports of cadres attacking innocent members of the public and ransacking shops wherever they go to conduct political activities. One such occurrence was when the UPND leader was in Chisamba yesterday. To you politicians, he warned, conduct your activities within your confines of the law or else you may find yourselves behind bars during the time of elections.  Similarly, your cadres should watch their conduct or they will have themselves to blame. He directed all Police Commanders in all Provinces including those in operations deployed to police elections to be firm and ensure that all the public misconduct was brought to a halt especially during this period when the country was approaching the poll day.