Police are compromised - UPND

THE police are compromised because they are getting instructions from the PF Government, UPND Secretary-General Steven Katuka has said.

Meanwhile, Inspector General of police Kakoma Kanganja has ordered the arrest of UPND cadres who allegedly attacked two police officers in Mpika on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, violence broke out as UPND President Hakainde Hichilema was returning to Lusaka from Kasama escorted by his entourage.

Mr Katuka has since urged Inspector General of police, Kakoma Kanganja, to take responsibility for the violence taking place in the country and protect all citizens regardless of their political affiliation.

He however blamed the PF Government for what he termed as abuse of the police.

"We know that Kanganja is just acting on instructions from above. We blame the establishment and the PF for the abuse of the Zambia Police Service," Mr Katuka said.

Mr Katuka said the UPND would ensure that the police are protected through institutional reforms, when it forms Government.

He urged the Inspector General of Police not to accuse UPND members of violence even before investigations were done.

"Such statements simply arm twist officers tasked with investigations," he added.

Mr Katuka distanced UPND from allegations that they attacked people in Muchinga province, stating that Mr Kanganja was contradicting himself by directing the police to arrest UPND cadres whom he accuses of attacking people in Lavushimanda.

At the same time, he said, the Inspector General of police was directing his officers to investigate the attack.

"How do police arrest people before carrying out investigations?" he wondered.

Mr Katuka said it was surprising that when PF cadres were repelled by those they attack, Mr Kanganja would issue a statement but when UPND members were attacked, no statement would be issued.

And MR Kanganja has directed Muchinga province Commissioner of police, Joel Njase, to act immediately.

Mr Kanganja reminded all politicians in the country that the police would not want to see anyone commit crimes under the veil of politics.

Police, he said, would ensure that all those that took part in violence were dealt with accordance with the law.