By OLIVER SAMBOKO
PURGING of police officers who have diligently served the country by the Police Service Commission on the basis of tribe or alleged political affiliation will compromise the integrity of the commissioners, former Tourism Minister Ronald Chitotela has told Parliament.
Mr Chitotela, who is Pambashe PF Member of Parliament, said the commissioners at the Police Service Commission were there to ensure the police service operated to the satisfaction of Zambians.
“If the commission cannot protect, defend, and appropriately deal with erring officers and promote the deserving officers, how then do you expect Parliament to support your budget line?” Mr Chitotela said.
Mr Chitotela said the people serving on the Police Service Commission should understand that they took oath to serve the Zambians and protect the constitution.
He said the employment code bill which was passed into law in 2020 was clear on how to deal with human resource issues even when dealing with an erring officer should ensure procedures must be followed.
He said it was shocking and absurd that officers who had served the country diligently for more than 20 years could be let go without proper reasons.
And Lundazi Member of Parliament Brenda Nyirenda said the K18 million allocated to the Police Service Commission was not enough to enable it do its work.
She said the commission should also look into the problem of accommodation for police officers who were living in deplorable conditions. Ms Nyirenda said it should be gender sensitive by also recalling women police officers from retirement as the case was with their male counterparts.
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