Police counsel PF on security
…don’t interfere in state security
POLITICAL parties’ security wings should desist from interfering with the work of the Zambia Police whenever the Head of State is addressing a gathering, Deputy Inspector General of police in charge of operations Bonny Kapeso has warned.
And Patriotic Front Lusaka Province secretary Kennedy Kamba assured the Zambia Police that the leadership of the party will continue to enjoy a cordial relationship with the police because it has respect for the law.
He said the party has been perceived to be law breakers because of some few isolated incidents by certain individuals who misbehaved.
Speaking when the PF led by Mr Kamba held a meeting with
Zambia Police, Mr Kapeso said that it has become a trend by political party security wings to try and take over the job of the police whenever the President is addressing the public.
He said that there is nothing wrong with political parties to have security wings but that they should not be interfering with the job of the Zambia Police in protecting the President whenever he is in a public gathering.
Mr Kapeso explained that the security of the Head of State is the responsibility of the Zambia Police because it is the only security institution that is mandated to maintain law and order.
“We have noticed that during political rallies cadres want to take over the job of the police by trying to protect the President whereby they put the police behind.
“The police consider anyone even from the ruling party to be a threat to the President and we are not ready to create two parallel security institutions in the country.
“The Zambia Police is the only security wing mandated to maintain law and order and anything on the contrary meets the wrath of the law,” he said.
Mr Kapeso disclosed that the police command will engage all political players in the country to ensure there is no political violence.
Mr Kamba explained that the party must lead by example as law abiding citizens
He said the PF compels every member to respect the law, adding that President Edgar Lungu has always stressed that everyone is equal before the law.
The party will not be dragged into the mud with members who break the law, adding that as a ruling party, it is supposed to set an example to other political parties. “The PF has respect for the rule of law and hold all police officers in high esteem.
“None of us must think we are above the law, any party member who comes in conflict with the law such individual must be treated as such because as the ruling party we should set an example,” he said.