Recognition Of Good Police Conduct Over The Citizens First Rally

UKA extols the Police Command for acknowledging that multipartyism, a vital pillar of the Zambian Constitution, is entwined with the rights of citizens to association and assembly!

Lusaka, June 24 – The United Kwacha Alliance (UKA), through its Chairperson, Hon. Sakwiba Sikota SC. has fervently urged the Zambia Police Command to steadfastly pursue the enlightened path of recognizing that multipartyism, a fundamental creation of the Constitution, enshrines the sacred rights of citizens to association and assembly.

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The rally orchestrated by the Citizens First political party in Kitwe on Saturday, June 22, 2024, faced no obstruction from the Police Command. In a refreshing departure from past tactics of citing ‘security concerns’ to thwart opposition gatherings, the authorities raised no such alarms this time.

Demonstrating their inherent tranquility, Zambians showcased their peaceful nature at the serene and harmonious Citizens First Kwacha rally.

Mr. Sakwiba Sikota SC., observed in his Press Statement shared with the Digest that Zambia Police appear to have turned a new leaf, moving away from the abhorrent practices of the recent past where citizens seeking to peacefully assemble were denied this right by a politically compromised Police Command, colluding with the disruptive cadres of the UPND party leadership.

“The Sunday, following the Kwacha rally, saw the police not interfere or storm any church where several UKA Presidents went to congregate in Ndola and Kitwe. The UKA Presidents were also not tailed like what happened the week before, Mr. Sikota narrated.

He continued, “We hope and demand that Zambians will, henceforth, be allowed to congregate and associate to enrich their discourse as they participate in governance to choose their desired leaders to take our country into a positive direction.”

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The UKA Chairperson further says the Police and its Command must awaken to the profound truth that they are integral members of society. The challenges that citizens bravely spotlight through assembly and association within their chosen political parties are designed to benefit every soul residing in Zambia.

“UKA therefore wishes to commend the Police Command for the reasonable switch back to the Zambia we want; a Zambia in which freedom of association and assembly is not denied to the citizens whose participation in governance is through prescribed association amongst themselves in whatever formation before, after, in between and during elections!” the statement continued.

The commendations are deserved in view of threats that were being made by Copperbelt Minister, Elisha Matambo regarding the opposition going to Copperbelt.

Matambo stated that the ruling party will not give a chance to the opposition to go to the Copperbelt and bounce back. He urged officials to block all attempts by the opposition to regain power.

This is a slow reversal of the decree by the Inspector Genersl of Police, Graphel Musamba, that the opposition would not be allowed to hold any rallies countrywide.

Mr. Sikota emphasises that it is UKA’s hope that the toxic UPND electoral governance practices of the recent past has now been done away with as the good outcomes of good governance benefits everyone, the police included.

“It is important to constantly remind ourselves, whether we are private citizens or we are security service providers, that our being is a product and desire to be who we are, as enshrined and protected in our Constitution. We urge the UPND to come down to the reality of Constitutionally guided governance practices,” the State Counsel guided.

“The police practice on the Copperbelt this weekend should, whilst being commended, not be seen as an aberation or strange one offset, but must henceforth become the norm. This is the Zambia that citizens are demanding for. Thank you!” ends the statement by Hon. Sakwiba Sikota SC., the UKA Chairman.

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