PRESS STATEMENT – 19 FEbruary 2013
ON POLICE UNFAIRNESS IN INTER-PARTY CONFLICTS IN BY-ELECTIONS
By Rev. Jevan Kamanga –
NAREP Copperbelt Provincial Coordinator
As NAREP Copperbelt, we very disappointed by the way Zambia Police Service
is handling these inter-party conflicts in Mpongwe and Livingstone
by-elections.
There seems to be an unprofessional way of handling disputes and conflicts
between political parties. Overwhelming evidence is there which proves that
regardless of the many offences being perpetrated by PF cadres, the Police
seem to be shielding and protecting them. This is very unfair.
Our Candidate in Mpongwe, Mr. Reagan Ndhlovu is appearing in court for
offences that are not clear while a UPND cadre in Livingstone is behind
bars because he was accused of tearing a PF chitenge material. What
happened in Mpongwe between PF and UPND cadres yesterday at the police
station and aired on ZNBC Main NEWS is another clear example of the Police
unfairness in handling inter-party conflict. How many times have the PF
cadres been caught tearing posters, tearing MMD chitenge materials or even
dressing dogs with such? What have the Police done? Nothing. When PF cadres
abrogate the law, the police are giving it a blind eyes.
We want to appeal to the Zambia Police Service and to its Inspector
General, Stella Libongani to conduct themselves fairly when dealing with
cadres of the various political parties in the by-elections in Livingstone
and in Mpongwe. The people are watching and will judge you strongly. We
don’t need to educate you on what role the Police Service and not Police
Force play in maintaining peace, order and unity in Zambia.