Prove use of live ammunition, LAZ challenged

Sun, 18 Dec 2016 09:54:58 +0000

By Gwendolyn Mchenga

POLICE in Lusaka have challenged Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) president Linda Kasonde to provide proof that officers used live ammunition when they fought running battles to control unruly UPND cadres at the Supreme and High Court grounds last Thursday.

Lusaka Police Commissioner Nelson Phiri yesterday denied use of live ammunition and challenged Ms Kasonde to provide proof for her claims.

He has further advised Ms Kasonde to desist from issuing false statements bent on denting the image of the police.

“It is not true that officers used live ammunition to disperse the unruly UPND cadres and now I challenge Ms Kasonde to show proof that my officers used live ammunition in that fracas,

“I know what Ms Kasonde is doing and I challenge her  to bring or provide evidence that live ammunition was used”, said Mr Phiri.

Mr Phiri maintained that police only use tear smoke and if things got to the worst rubber bullets could have been used.

Mr Phiri further said that if live ammunition was used there could have been serious injuries including the possibility of loss of life, which was not case in that incident.

The Commissioner was reacting to LAZ’s claims that the law enforcers on Thursday used live ammunition during the running battles that erupted between the officers and UPND cadres at the Lusaka High Court.

The riotous behaviour erupted after UPND cadres forced their way into Lusaka High Court after Judge Mwila Chitabo adjourned the UPND’s petition.