POLICE IG GETS TOUGH
Kanganja directs police to use force on unruly political leaders
By NATION REPORTER
POLICE will use force on people who are deliberately attracting huge crowds in defiance of covid-19 guidelines, Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja has warned.
Mr Kanganja noted all gatherings and activities that may attract huge crowds were suspended by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) working in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.
He said in a statement that until the guidelines were revised, there shall be no road shows, public rallies or public processions countrywide.
“It has been observed that some political party leaders have taken the route of deliberately abrogating the electoral code of conduct and Covid 19 regulations under the guise of distributing face masks.
“They are using this activity to gather large crowds which are turning out to be processions or rallies,” Mr Kanganja said.
He directed that no one should be allowed to conduct such activities including receiving political leaders at airports or any other public place.
Mr Kanganja explained that the guidance was that only door to door campaigns should be allowed and with not more than three people.
“However, this does not seem to be the case on the ground,” he said.
Mr Kanganja observed that political activities were being allowed by some regulating officers, the conduct which he was outside the provisions of the law guiding the electoral process.
“From today onwards, i want to see total compliance to existing regulations, failure to which action shall be taken on officers failing to do their job according to regulations on Covid 19 and provisions of the law,” he said.
Mr Kanganja said the police had been tolerant for a long time and that the tolerance was being taken as weakness by some political players and had resulted in them not taking heed to regulations and guidance.
