PATRIOTIC Front (PF) president Michael Sata was on September 23, 2011 sworn in as Zambia’s fifth President at a momentous ceremony witnessed by thousands of people at the Supreme Court buildings in Lusaka.
There was jubilation from the people who thronged the Supreme Court when Chief Justice Ernest Sakala swore in Mr Sata and handed him the instruments of power.
“I, Michael Chilufya Sata, having been constitutionally elected to the office of President of the Republic of Zambia, do swear that I will faithfully and diligently discharge my duties and perform my functions in this high office, that I will uphold and defend the constitution and laws of Zambia, that I will dedicate my abilities to the service and welfare of the people of Zambia without fear, favour or ill-will, help me God,” President Sata declared.
The crowd inside and outside the court premises broke into deafening celebrations, amid singing and dancing, during the ceremony.
Earlier, the President arrived to a thunderous welcome at the Supreme Court, accompanied by his predecessor, Rupiah Banda, first Republican President Kenneth Kaunda, First Lady Christine Kaseba, PF and MMD officials.
Heads of State and government in the region also arrived, alongside Mr Sata.
These are the presidents of Malawi Bingu wa Mutharika and Botswana’s General Ian Khama.
Other foreign dignitaries were Vice-President of Zimbabwe Joyce Mujuru, Tanzania’s Dr Mohamed Gharib Bilal, Deputy Prime Minister of Namibia Marco Hausiku, Deputy Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo Daniel Koyagialo and Defence Minister of South Africa Lindiwe Sisulu.
The rest were President of the National Assembly of Angola Antonia Paulo Kassoma and Mozambique’s Minister of Transport and Communications Paulo Zucula.
The Speaker of the National Assembly, judges, defence and security chiefs, the clergy and diplomats accredited to Zambia attended the ceremony.
Business came to a standstill in Lusaka as thousands of people trooped to the Supreme Court for the inauguration ceremony, only to find it packed beyond capacity.
Many people watched the proceedings from outside the court premises, while others opted to go back home to get a better glimpse of President Sata as the ceremony was broadcast live on television.
People braved the heat when word went round that the swearing-in ceremony, which was due to start at 10:30 hours, had been moved to 14:00 hours.
Police struggled to move the crowds in order to create a security cordon for the President and other dignitaries.
Reinforcement from police on horses could not help matters as the court premises were filled to the brim.
Journalists struggled to find space to do their work. Court workers and many other people watched the proceedings from windows of their offices.
Others still watched the proceedings from the roof-top of the court buildings.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
State gives NWSC K 20 bn for rehabilitation
By ALEX NJOVU
GOVERNMENT has given Nkana Water and Sewerage Company (NWSC) a K20.5 billion grant for the rehabilitation of water and sanitation infrastructure.
Speaking during a tour of infrastructure in Chambishi on September 12, NWSC managing director Diana Makwaba commended Government for its commitment to providing clean and safe water.
“We have received a grant of K20.5 billion from the government through the Ministry of Local Government and Housing for the improvement of water and sanitation infrastructure in Kitwe, Kalulushi and Chambishi. The rehabilitation of the infrastructure has already commenced in all the areas,” Mrs Makwaba said.
NWSC supplies water to Kitwe, Kalulushi and Chambishi on the Copperbelt.
She said part of the money will be used to build 500 toilets in Kitwe’s Buchi and Kamitondo townships.
She said the rehabilitation of infrastructure in Chamboli township is underway and over 1,000 people will benefit from the project expected to be completed next month.
“We will spend K7.5 billion on resuscitating water infrastructure at the Chambishi water intake plant on Kafue River and install meters on 1,800 properties.
Currently, we are buying water from Chambishi metals to supply to Chambishi residents but once we are done with the works at the water intake, we will be able to supply our own water to the residents,” Mrs Makwaba said.
She said the water utility company will also improve water supply to Ipusukilo and Chipata townships where it has built 10 water kiosks.
“We will carry out metering to 3,500 individual households in Wusakile and replace 12 kilometres of dilapidated water network pipes in Chamboli township. Initially we received US$63 million from the African Development Bank through the government for the improvement of water infrastructure in the areas we operate from.
“Once all these works are completed, the provision of quality water to members of the public will improve. We would like to thank the government for its commitment to developing the water sector,” she said.
And NWSC community mobilisation and social specialist Mwangala Chiwala said the project has received overwhelming response from the public.
Ms Chiwala said the construction of toilets in Buchi and Kamitondo townships will help to improve sanitation in the areas.
“The project is receiving good response from members of the public. The works are progressing well,” she said.
Ms Chiwala called on residents to desist from vandalising the infrastructure.
Meanwhile, NANCY SIAME reports that Government has given Kafubu Water and Sewerage Company (KWSC) K19 billion for emergency water and sanitation interventions in three districts on the Copperbelt Province.
The government in collaboration with the Japanese government has also given the water utility company US$25 million to improve water supply in Ndola.
KWSC managing director Ian Banda said the K19 billion is part of the K93 billion which has been given to all water utility companies across the country.
“We have never received such support from Government. We requested for K19 billion and Government fully funded our request to improve the water and sanitation system in the areas we operate from,” Mr Banda said.
He was speaking at the monitoring of water supply and sanitation emergency works in Ndola on Monday. Mr Banda said the two phases which started in May this year will take at least six weeks to be completed.
The water utility company requested Government to fund the improvement of water supply and sanitation system in Ndola, Luanshya and Masaiti districts.
Simasiku proposes accidents reduction plan
ZAMBIA’S Ambassador to Japan Godfrey Simasiku has called for stiffer laws against traffic offenders to help reduce the number of fatal road accidents in the country.
In this regard, the ambassador said he had made recommendations to President Mwanawasa on how Government can reduce fatal road traffic accidents on the Zambian roads.
According to a statement issued by the Zambian embassy in Tokyo yesterday, Ambassador Simasiku disclosed this when a Zambian delegation from the Zambian school of driving paid a courtesy call on him at the embassy.
Mr Simasiku said the recommendations have also been submitted to Minister of Transport and Communications Dora Siliya.
The Zambian delegation is in Japan on a road safety tour at the invitation of the Koyama driving school, one of the biggest driving schools in Japan.
“I have personally submitted recommendations to President Mwanawasa and Minister of Transport recommendations on Japanese experience that led to very low fatal accidents over the past 10 years,” Mr Simasiku said.
He urged the Zambian delegation being led by the country’s Goodwill Ambassador, Cherise Makubale to present the report of the tour to government, which could help in enhancing relevant traffic laws in the country.
“Causing death by dangerous driving in Japan has stiff jail sentences of up to 20 years, where fines are imposed they are up to half a million dollars and passengers who agree to be driven by drunken drivers are also fined,” Mr Simasiku said.
And speaking on behalf of the delegation Zambian school of driving managing instructor Mike Kumalo said there was need to improve driving standards in Zambia to avoid fatal road traffic accidents.
Mr Kumalo said driving schools in Zambia had a long way to go in order to attain required international driving standards.
The Zambian delegation took time to see how both government and the private driving schools conduct road safety awareness programs throughout Japan.
Japan assures Africa of continued aid
From ALEX NJOVU in Tokyo, Japan
JAPAN has assured African countries including Zambia of continued financial aid despite the world global crisis.
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) assistant director for African department Kemmiya Misa said her country will not abandon the African continent despite the financial crisis which has affected most countries in the world.
Ms Misa also said Japan through JICA spent about US$ 94 million on the implementation of various developmental projects in Zambia.
She said this yesterday during a press briefing at the JICA headquarters in Tokyo.
Ms Misa said Africa remains an important partner to Japan and that her country was determined to foster development in all sectors of the economies of the continent.
She said it will not make sense to “ divorce” the African continent because of the problems that have been created by the credit crunch.
“We will not abandon or stop our aid programmes in Africa because of the financial crisis. We will continue with our projects targeted at improving the lives of people in Africa,” Ms Misa said.
She said most of the programmes that Japan is funding in Africa are aimed at reducing poverty in communities.
Ms Misa said poverty reduction is a key development goal shared by the international community and that it was also essential for eliminating terrorism and other causes of instability in the world.
“ Therefore, Japan will give high priorities to providing assistance to such sectors as education, health care and welfare, water and sanitation and agriculture and will support human and social development in the developing countries,” she said.
Ms Misa said the Japanese were committed to initiating viable projects in Africa that will impact positively on the economic development of Africa.
Japan showers praise on Zambian government
From ALEX NJOVU in Tokyo, Japan
Second country assistant for planning division for international cooperation bureau in the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hideki Uyama said political instability is one of the factors that were hindering development in most African countries.
He was speaking when he addressed journalists from four African countries who are on a tour of selected places in Japan at the Ministry of Foreign affairs’ invitation.
Mr Uyama said Japan is impressed with the way the Zambian government is implementing development projects funded by its government.
He said the Zambian government has demonstrated transparency and accountability in the manner it is using donor funds from Japan.
“We have never received negative reports about the Zambian government abusing or misapplying funds that we give them. We are impressed with the way the donor funds are used by the Zambian government. We can only encourage them to continue implementing projects that are aimed at improving the lives of their people,” Mr Uyama said
He urged the Zambian government to continue implementing policies that are aimed at eradicating poverty in communities.
Mr Uyama said the Japanese government through the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has implemented several development projects in most African countries which are benefiting the local people.
He said the Japanese government monitors its projects in Africa through JICA
He said Japan is interested in the development process of Africa but that it will never interfere in the local politics of any particular country.
Mr Uyama bragged that unlike other donors, the Japanese government was giving aid to African countries without conditions.
“Japan is committed to helping Africa attain the Millennium Development Goals. We are enjoying cordial relations with most African countries and we are committed to developing Africa in general,” he said.
He said despite its current financial position created by the global crisis, the Japanese government will continue supporting African countries in different ways including attaining the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
“We have doubled our assistance for foreign investment from the Japanese private sector to Africa up to US$3.4 billion by the end of 2012. We have also doubled concession loans to Africa to US$ 1.8 billion by 2012. We also want to increase the number of countries that should have accesses to concession loans from Japan,” he said.
Mr Uyama also stressed that political instability hinders development in most African countries.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
2 cops nabbed for partisan politics
By ALEX NJOVU TWO police officers have been arrested and detained for practising partisan politics, Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde has confirmed. “We have arrested two police officers, one from Eastern Province and the other one is from Southern Province for engaging in politics. Investigations are still going on and when we are through, action will be taken,” Mr Kabonde told a consultative meeting with political parties at Kitwe’s Moba Hotel in Kitwe. Under the Zambia Police Service Act, it is a criminal offence for any police officer to engage in active politics, Mr Kabonde said, and warned that he will dismiss any officer found on the wrong side of the law. “It is a serious offence for police officers to wear the attire of any political party. Please, when you see any officer flashing a symbol of any political party, let me know, and I will fire them. I will dismiss them instantly because it is unprofessional and unethical for an officer to engage in politics,” he appealed to members of the public. And Zambia Police Service director of medical services Antonneil Mutentwa said the Police Service is concerned with the negative attitudes being displayed by political parties towards each other, citing it as a breeding ground for clashes. “We would not be having the problem of violence and insults among politicians if they worked in harmony. They should learn to collaborate because at the end of the day, we are all Zambians. It is also a source of concern to us for political parties to fail to adhere to the requirements of the Public Order Act,” Mr Mutentwa said. The former Copperbelt police commanding officer called on politicians to desist from making unsubstantiated allegations against each other, saying the Police Service would not attend to such claims. “We are calling on politicians to condemn their cadres who engage in violence. Law-abiding citizens will be protected while those who dare the law will be put away in the police cells,” Mr Mutentwa said. And police in Chingola have detained four people in connection with the theft of 168 lamps belonging to the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ). Mr Malama, who confirmed the arrests in an interview, said the lamps “were stolen from a vehicle on Monday, and four suspects have so far been arrested”. Of the 168, 40 lamps have so far been recovered after a “woman detective masqueraded as a customer and bought one lamp at the shop of one of the suspects”. He said the suspects will appear in court soon. |
No bond for poll violence perperators
By ALEX NJOVU
INSPECTOR General of police Francis Kabonde has directed police officers not to grant bond to individuals who will be arrested for electoral violence ahead of the elections.
And Police have warned Centre for Policy Dialogue director Neo Simutanyi against issuing alarming statements that the country will experience violence if the opposition loses the elections.
Mr Kabonde yesterday warned that the police will arrest individuals engaging in violence ahead of the polls.
“Enough is enough; the few cases of violence which have been reported to the police seem to suggest that our efforts to persuade some people to refrain from acts of violence are not being taken seriously.
“With immediate effect, anyone arrested for electoral violence-related cases should not be released on police bond but should instead be taken to court where prosecutors should challenge their bail application,” he said.
Mr Kabonde was speaking during a consultative meeting with various political parties at Moba Hotel in Kitwe yesterday.
He pledged that the police will continue taking on board all concerns raised by the political stakeholders but that this should not be misconstrued as a sign of weakness.
“I direct all police provincial commanders and their officers-in-charge to conduct extensive foot patrols in all townships, shopping complexes and other residential areas to arrest anyone committing or about to commit violence,” Mr Kabonde said.
He advised police officers to encourage members of the conflict management committees to expeditiously deal with conflicts before they degenerate into violence.
Mr Kabonde directed provincial commanders to immediately summon all traders selling alcohol to street vendors whom he said are accused of contributing to violence.
“Ensure that bars open within the stipulated time, from 10:00 hours to 22: 30 hours. Summon all bar owners and warn them, charge those who will not comply and recommend the withdrawal or revocation of their licences. Further, you must arrest those operating illegally,” Mr Kabonde said.
Mr Kabonde directed the police to closely monitor the activities of local leaders in maintaining law and order in communities.
“Politicians must assist the police to maintain law and order and encourage their members to report cases of violence to police stations and not the media,” Mr Kabonde said.
He warned that the police will arrest everyone involved in violence regardless of political affiliation.
Northmead Pentecostal Assemblies of God Bishop Joshua Banda called for dialogue in resolving disputes in the communities.
Bishop Banda said dialogue is key to resolving misunderstandings.
On Dr Simutanyi, Mr Kabonde said learned people know the procedure for stakeholders to follow if they are not happy with the election results.
“It is not good to incite people because we know the procedure of dealing with election grievances. We should be careful with the statements we are issuing,” Mr Kabonde said.
He said the police will not allow any form of violence in the country. Mr Kabonde said inciting people to act violently will not benefit anyone because Zambians only have one country.
And the Southern African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) says no one should anticipate violence after the elections and anyone planning to engage in the vice will not succeed.
SACCORD information officer Obby Chibuluma said Dr Simutanyi should not incite members of the public but guide them on what to do if they are not happy with the result.
Mr Chibuluma said despite Dr Simutanyi’s statement being a mere prediction, it is important to take into account the situation on the ground.
He reiterated the call on political parties to sensitise their members to avoid violence at all costs.
“Violence will not happen because no one is anticipating it after the elections,” Mr Chibuluma said.
Dr Simutanyi was quoted on Hot FM radio on Monday, saying it is likely that there will be violence if the opposition loses the elections.
Meanwhile, TEDDY KUYELA reports that the Zambia Police Service has cautioned the public from making statements likely to breach peace ahead of the elections.
Commissioner of Police Graphael Musamba said the police will not allow anyone to alarm the nation by spreading false information that this year’s general elections will be marred by violence.
Mr Musamba said this yesterday during the launch of the Zambia Reconstruction Organisation (ZAMRO) nationwide election monitoring peace crusade and training of trainers programme at Lusaka’s showgrounds.
He said the Zambia Police is concerned about false information that the elections will be characterised by violence and will not hesitate to arrest people spreading false information which can cause civil unrest in the country.
“Zambians should embrace unity of purpose and downplay messages indicating that this year’s elections will be characterised by violence.
“Negative statements can cause civil unrest. They should not be allowed,” Mr Musamba said.
He said the Zambia Police Service is working round the clock to ensure that there is peace and unity in the country before, during and after this year’s elections.
Mr Musamba said peace is cardinal both for democracy to flourish and for the economic development of the country.
“Zambia has continued to shine as a role model on the African continent because of the peace and political stability she is enjoying.
“Some countries have continued to suffer untold sufferings because of some few selfish individuals and this is what we will not allow as Zambia Police Service and we will ensure that we provide the Zambian people with the necessary security they want before, during and after the elections,” he said.
He also said police have identified areas that are problematic in the country and that it will deploy adequate security personnel to ensure that people in those areas do not resort to engage in acts of violence after the elections.
At the same function, Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) deputy director for voter education Catherine Mubita appealed to all electoral stakeholders to play a pivotal role in ensuring that this month’s elections are held in a peaceful atmosphere.
Ms Mubita said even if the electoral body has put in place all the necessary logistics, the elections can only be peaceful if there are concerted efforts from all electoral stakeholders.
ZAMRO executive director Edward Nsama pledged support to the electoral process by promoting democracy and good governance during campaigns.
INSPECTOR General of police Francis Kabonde has directed police officers not to grant bond to individuals who will be arrested for electoral violence ahead of the elections.
And Police have warned Centre for Policy Dialogue director Neo Simutanyi against issuing alarming statements that the country will experience violence if the opposition loses the elections.
Mr Kabonde yesterday warned that the police will arrest individuals engaging in violence ahead of the polls.
“Enough is enough; the few cases of violence which have been reported to the police seem to suggest that our efforts to persuade some people to refrain from acts of violence are not being taken seriously.
“With immediate effect, anyone arrested for electoral violence-related cases should not be released on police bond but should instead be taken to court where prosecutors should challenge their bail application,” he said.
Mr Kabonde was speaking during a consultative meeting with various political parties at Moba Hotel in Kitwe yesterday.
He pledged that the police will continue taking on board all concerns raised by the political stakeholders but that this should not be misconstrued as a sign of weakness.
“I direct all police provincial commanders and their officers-in-charge to conduct extensive foot patrols in all townships, shopping complexes and other residential areas to arrest anyone committing or about to commit violence,” Mr Kabonde said.
He advised police officers to encourage members of the conflict management committees to expeditiously deal with conflicts before they degenerate into violence.
Mr Kabonde directed provincial commanders to immediately summon all traders selling alcohol to street vendors whom he said are accused of contributing to violence.
“Ensure that bars open within the stipulated time, from 10:00 hours to 22: 30 hours. Summon all bar owners and warn them, charge those who will not comply and recommend the withdrawal or revocation of their licences. Further, you must arrest those operating illegally,” Mr Kabonde said.
Mr Kabonde directed the police to closely monitor the activities of local leaders in maintaining law and order in communities.
“Politicians must assist the police to maintain law and order and encourage their members to report cases of violence to police stations and not the media,” Mr Kabonde said.
He warned that the police will arrest everyone involved in violence regardless of political affiliation.
Northmead Pentecostal Assemblies of God Bishop Joshua Banda called for dialogue in resolving disputes in the communities.
Bishop Banda said dialogue is key to resolving misunderstandings.
On Dr Simutanyi, Mr Kabonde said learned people know the procedure for stakeholders to follow if they are not happy with the election results.
“It is not good to incite people because we know the procedure of dealing with election grievances. We should be careful with the statements we are issuing,” Mr Kabonde said.
He said the police will not allow any form of violence in the country. Mr Kabonde said inciting people to act violently will not benefit anyone because Zambians only have one country.
And the Southern African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) says no one should anticipate violence after the elections and anyone planning to engage in the vice will not succeed.
SACCORD information officer Obby Chibuluma said Dr Simutanyi should not incite members of the public but guide them on what to do if they are not happy with the result.
Mr Chibuluma said despite Dr Simutanyi’s statement being a mere prediction, it is important to take into account the situation on the ground.
He reiterated the call on political parties to sensitise their members to avoid violence at all costs.
“Violence will not happen because no one is anticipating it after the elections,” Mr Chibuluma said.
Dr Simutanyi was quoted on Hot FM radio on Monday, saying it is likely that there will be violence if the opposition loses the elections.
Meanwhile, TEDDY KUYELA reports that the Zambia Police Service has cautioned the public from making statements likely to breach peace ahead of the elections.
Commissioner of Police Graphael Musamba said the police will not allow anyone to alarm the nation by spreading false information that this year’s general elections will be marred by violence.
Mr Musamba said this yesterday during the launch of the Zambia Reconstruction Organisation (ZAMRO) nationwide election monitoring peace crusade and training of trainers programme at Lusaka’s showgrounds.
He said the Zambia Police is concerned about false information that the elections will be characterised by violence and will not hesitate to arrest people spreading false information which can cause civil unrest in the country.
“Zambians should embrace unity of purpose and downplay messages indicating that this year’s elections will be characterised by violence.
“Negative statements can cause civil unrest. They should not be allowed,” Mr Musamba said.
He said the Zambia Police Service is working round the clock to ensure that there is peace and unity in the country before, during and after this year’s elections.
Mr Musamba said peace is cardinal both for democracy to flourish and for the economic development of the country.
“Zambia has continued to shine as a role model on the African continent because of the peace and political stability she is enjoying.
“Some countries have continued to suffer untold sufferings because of some few selfish individuals and this is what we will not allow as Zambia Police Service and we will ensure that we provide the Zambian people with the necessary security they want before, during and after the elections,” he said.
He also said police have identified areas that are problematic in the country and that it will deploy adequate security personnel to ensure that people in those areas do not resort to engage in acts of violence after the elections.
At the same function, Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) deputy director for voter education Catherine Mubita appealed to all electoral stakeholders to play a pivotal role in ensuring that this month’s elections are held in a peaceful atmosphere.
Ms Mubita said even if the electoral body has put in place all the necessary logistics, the elections can only be peaceful if there are concerted efforts from all electoral stakeholders.
ZAMRO executive director Edward Nsama pledged support to the electoral process by promoting democracy and good governance during campaigns.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Police not expecting violence-Kabonde
By ALEX NJOVU
INSPECTOR General of Police Francis Kabonde says the Zambia Police Service is not anticipating violence in the run-up to and after the September 20 elections.
“We want to ensure that this year’s elections are peaceful and violence-free. So far we have had a relatively peaceful run-up to the elections. For instance, the nominations of aspiring candidates in the election were peaceful throughout the country,” he said.
Mr Kabonde was speaking during a consultative meeting with religious organisations and civil society groups at Moba Hotel in Kitwe.
He said Zambians are peaceful people by nature, who cannot be easily swayed by few selfish people into engaging in violence.
Mr Kabonde said Zambia has had peaceful elections since 1964, and that this year’s polls will just be a continuation of that trend.
“Zambia Police Service, as a custodian of law and order, is ready to manage this year’s elections in response to the demands of majority of Zambians. We, however, know too well that we cannot successfully guard this peace without involvement of important stakeholders such as the Church, civil society organisations and political players themselves,” Mr Kabonde said.
He said the service started preparing for this year’s elections way back with the help of the government and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Zambia.
Mr Kabonde said workshops for provincial police commanders were held, which culminated into formulating and publication of a handbook titled Policing Elections in Zambia.
“This is the first of its kind in the history of the Zambia Police Service. This police handbook on policing elections contains topics such as democratic elections and human rights, international,regional and national standards relevant to elections, police powers of arrest, detention, search and seizure, crowd management, use of force, duties and responsibilities of police during the electoral process, conflict management and resolution and community policing and leadership,” he said.
Mr Kabonde said the police have finally conducted examinations countrywide whose questions included policing elections.
“Our role as Zambia Police Service during the elections in general is to maintain law and order by regulating assemblies, public indoor meetings and processions in accordance with the Public Order Act, Electoral Act and Electoral Code of Conduct,” he said.
Northmead Pentecostal Assemblies of God Bishop Joshua Banda said dialogue is important in resolving differences in communities.
Bishop Banda, who was the moderator of the meeting, said it is important that people iron out their differences amicably.
And Copperbelt police commanding officer Martin Malama said the Zambia Police Service is committed to enforcing law and order in the country.
Dr Malama said the police will continue creating partnerships withvarious stakeholders in ensuring there is peace in the communities.
INSPECTOR General of Police Francis Kabonde says the Zambia Police Service is not anticipating violence in the run-up to and after the September 20 elections.
“We want to ensure that this year’s elections are peaceful and violence-free. So far we have had a relatively peaceful run-up to the elections. For instance, the nominations of aspiring candidates in the election were peaceful throughout the country,” he said.
Mr Kabonde was speaking during a consultative meeting with religious organisations and civil society groups at Moba Hotel in Kitwe.
He said Zambians are peaceful people by nature, who cannot be easily swayed by few selfish people into engaging in violence.
Mr Kabonde said Zambia has had peaceful elections since 1964, and that this year’s polls will just be a continuation of that trend.
“Zambia Police Service, as a custodian of law and order, is ready to manage this year’s elections in response to the demands of majority of Zambians. We, however, know too well that we cannot successfully guard this peace without involvement of important stakeholders such as the Church, civil society organisations and political players themselves,” Mr Kabonde said.
He said the service started preparing for this year’s elections way back with the help of the government and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Zambia.
Mr Kabonde said workshops for provincial police commanders were held, which culminated into formulating and publication of a handbook titled Policing Elections in Zambia.
“This is the first of its kind in the history of the Zambia Police Service. This police handbook on policing elections contains topics such as democratic elections and human rights, international,regional and national standards relevant to elections, police powers of arrest, detention, search and seizure, crowd management, use of force, duties and responsibilities of police during the electoral process, conflict management and resolution and community policing and leadership,” he said.
Mr Kabonde said the police have finally conducted examinations countrywide whose questions included policing elections.
“Our role as Zambia Police Service during the elections in general is to maintain law and order by regulating assemblies, public indoor meetings and processions in accordance with the Public Order Act, Electoral Act and Electoral Code of Conduct,” he said.
Northmead Pentecostal Assemblies of God Bishop Joshua Banda said dialogue is important in resolving differences in communities.
Bishop Banda, who was the moderator of the meeting, said it is important that people iron out their differences amicably.
And Copperbelt police commanding officer Martin Malama said the Zambia Police Service is committed to enforcing law and order in the country.
Dr Malama said the police will continue creating partnerships withvarious stakeholders in ensuring there is peace in the communities.
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