The
behaviour of the Zambia Police Service recently has shocked various
stakeholders in the country.
After UPND Leader Hakainde Hichilema and his Vice President Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba were arrested in Luanshya, emotions from Party supporters characterized the Police station.
As expected it was confrontational attacks between the Police and the UPND supporters that saw people being beaten up by the armed police officers.
Due to the behaviour of Party cadres, Police did not relent but used force and descended on unarmed citizens that included women.
The action by the Zambia Police in Luanshya cannot go without a comment, with the Democratic Governance for Human Rights Advocacy (DEGHA) President Gerald Mutelo calling for refresher Courses for Police Officers to allow them understand Human Rights related issues
"There is need for the police to respect Human Rights, I think the police now need refresher courses especially that it’s a Police Service, there is need for police officers to go for refresher course to understand Human Rights related issues" Mr. Mutelo said.
He said whenever there was something happening both the political parties and the police must not use emotions but ensure that things are done in a peaceful manner.
"The police need to improve, they need to do more to see that they are a service and not a force, their behaviour and mannerism are still that of the police force" he added.
"political parties and the police are not enemies but partners in a democratic society, so there is need for all the stake holders to respect the rule of law and democracy, we expect the police to be professional in the manner they handle various political party cadres both the ruling and opposition" he pointed out.
However, in an interview, Police spokesperson Esther Katongo defended the Police Officers' conduct saying the action was as a result of the alleged unruly attitude of the UPND supporters
"If a person proves to be naughty and make the work of Police Officers difficult, it is imperative that some promotional force is used to discipline such a person" she said.
She further said Police officers had ground for such action, "the approach by officers was necessary because they cadres became unruly"
There is need however, for both the Police and party cadres to avoid confrontations during such activities to avoid being in conflict with the law.
Police officers will indeed need refresher course because the ongoing violation of Human Rights have repercussions in future.
Political Party leaders must take interest in educating their members to avoid engaging in confrontations with the state police.
After UPND Leader Hakainde Hichilema and his Vice President Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba were arrested in Luanshya, emotions from Party supporters characterized the Police station.
As expected it was confrontational attacks between the Police and the UPND supporters that saw people being beaten up by the armed police officers.
Due to the behaviour of Party cadres, Police did not relent but used force and descended on unarmed citizens that included women.
The action by the Zambia Police in Luanshya cannot go without a comment, with the Democratic Governance for Human Rights Advocacy (DEGHA) President Gerald Mutelo calling for refresher Courses for Police Officers to allow them understand Human Rights related issues
"There is need for the police to respect Human Rights, I think the police now need refresher courses especially that it’s a Police Service, there is need for police officers to go for refresher course to understand Human Rights related issues" Mr. Mutelo said.
He said whenever there was something happening both the political parties and the police must not use emotions but ensure that things are done in a peaceful manner.
"The police need to improve, they need to do more to see that they are a service and not a force, their behaviour and mannerism are still that of the police force" he added.
"political parties and the police are not enemies but partners in a democratic society, so there is need for all the stake holders to respect the rule of law and democracy, we expect the police to be professional in the manner they handle various political party cadres both the ruling and opposition" he pointed out.
However, in an interview, Police spokesperson Esther Katongo defended the Police Officers' conduct saying the action was as a result of the alleged unruly attitude of the UPND supporters
"If a person proves to be naughty and make the work of Police Officers difficult, it is imperative that some promotional force is used to discipline such a person" she said.
She further said Police officers had ground for such action, "the approach by officers was necessary because they cadres became unruly"
There is need however, for both the Police and party cadres to avoid confrontations during such activities to avoid being in conflict with the law.
Police officers will indeed need refresher course because the ongoing violation of Human Rights have repercussions in future.
Political Party leaders must take interest in educating their members to avoid engaging in confrontations with the state police.
