By NOEL IYOMBWA
CONSIDERING the gravity and seriousness of an offence, police can determine how long they can detain a suspect until investigations are completed, Home Affairs Minister Steven Kampyongo has told parliament.
Mr Kampyongo said the police have the responsibility of protecting citizens and also need to conduct thorough investigations.
The minister was responding to Monze Central Member of Parliament, Jack Mwiimbu, who wanted to know why the Zambia Police Service wantonly detained Ackson Sejani, Fines Malambo, Javern Simooloka and Vincent Lilanda for over 30 days in connection with the abducted Hatembo siblings.
Mr Mwiimbu also wanted to know whether any action will be taken against officers for failure to take the suspects to court within the prescribed time and what measures the government is taking to stop the illegal detentions of suspects.
But Mr Kampyongo explained that when relatives of the Hatembos reported to Lusaka Central Police that their relatives were missing, police moved in and investigations led to the arrest of the four and charged them with adduction.
He told the House that due to the gravity of the offence and the continued missing of the Hatembo siblings, police held on to the suspects.
Mr Kampyongo said he was not defending police officers but the matter was about two people who were still missing.
He however told the House that the four suspects were charged after more than 48 hours and were taken to court for plea and granted bail.
He also told the House that no action will be taken against police officers who arrested and detained the suspects in connection with the abduction of the Hatembo family members.
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