Fri, 27 Oct 2017 12:18:49 +0000
By Chikumbi Katebe
POLICE have warned against people taking advantage of the reconciliation efforts being advocated by the Government.
Police say members of the public should not take the “amnesty” as weakness of the service, deputy inspector general of police in charge of operations, Malcom Mulenga has charged.
Mr Mulenga said police worked professionally with zeal and have exercised their authority whenever there was crime committed without any fear or favour.
He said people must not take advantage of police lenience in the wake of a silent amnesty owing to the spirit of reconciliation being preached by the Government and instead become disrespectful and abuse human rights and democracy.
Mr Mulenga explained that members of the community should not take advantage by way of using insolent words towards the authorities or individuals with a view to cause insurrection.
“Police have always worked professionally with zeal and moved in whenever crime has been committed without fear or favour and this is evidently supported by a lot of arrests made in the past.
“Therefore, it is of paramount importance that people become careful and cautious with the statements that they make which have got potential to cause anarchy in the country and erode investor confidence,” he said.
Mr Mulenga further explained that people should not take for granted the peace and stability experienced in Zambia.
He said the prevailing peace and stability was because of the commitment, hard work and concerted efforts by the Zambia Police working with other security agencies in maintaining law and order.
He said members of the public must be reminded that the decision to enter a Nolle Prosequi by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) should not be misconstrued as incompetence on the part of the police, but rather be alerted that there were many other reasons that could lead to that depending on the case at hand.
“The DPP is not obliged to give reasons for making such a decision as the office is protected by the law.
“We therefore, warn members of the public not to push the police too far as we will not relent in bringing to book all those that come in conflict with the law,” he said.
