Create conducive atmosphere for political players, Lungu tells police

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has directed the police to create a conducive environment for all political players to enjoy their rights as the country goes towards the 2021 general elections.

Mr Lungu said it was the duty of the police to ensure that every political player was given fair play.

But the Head of State said this should not be done at the expense of peace and security.

He said Government would continue providing equipment which was needed for the police to maintain public order.

President Lungu said the police needed necessary equipment in order to stop disorder in the country. He said if the police was well equipped they would be able to pounce on unruly individuals in the country. He said this when he inspected the newly constructed Kanyama police post and houses for the men and women in uniform. The Head of State was however shocked to see that one of the newly constructed houses was damaged by unruly Kanyama residents during gassing incidences which erupted in the country.

He said it was saddening to see that some citizens want to work against the police who were there to protect them.

Mr Lungu indicated that the citizens needed to work hand in hand with the police because they were there to provide protection.

“Our people should not work against the police, the police are there to protect the citizens, what happened is un-Zambian,” he said.

Meanwhile Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kampyongo said equipping of police would help to quench the disorderly among some unruly Zambians. He also praised the police for continuing to maintain the newly constructed houses. Mr Kampyongo told the Head of State that the men and women in uniform were keeping the new camps clean and green.