By ROGERS KALERO
AS Police, we need to do more to stop violence, but the political party leadership cannot divorce themselves from talking to their cadres not to instigate violence,” Deputy Inspector General of Police for Operations, Charity Katanga has said.
Ms Katanga said the police will work hard to guarantee Zambians peace ahead of the August 12 elections, but they also need support from political party leaders to restrain their cadres from engaging in violence and possibly take action or steps against their cadres who have instigated violence.
She was speaking when she toured Kitwe and Chingola where she addressed officers and urged them to step up efforts ahead of the August elections.
“Yes, us as police, we need to do more to stop violence, but political party leadership cannot divorce themselves from talking to their cadres not to instigate violence. A child is first disciplined from its parents before teachers come in,” Ms Katanga.
She advised journalists to challenge political party leaders on what actions and steps they have taken as cutbs against their cadres who have instigated violence.
Ms Katanga has also warned political party cadres planning to defy the law by holding political rallies that they will face the full wrath of the law
Ms Katanga said the laws allow for the banning of gatherings when people’s lives are threatened and so for those political party cadres planning to defy the law by holding political rallies, they will be dealt with firmly .
Mr Katanga said police officers will not allow lawlessness on the Copperbelt, but will deal with all political parties fairly and firmly when a law was broken
“I must state clearly that the police will not allow lawlessness from political party cadres. It will ensure that those breaking the law are dealt with firmly. This lawlessness on the Copperbelt must not be allowed to continue.
