Accountability for the Zambia Police's incompetence rests with President Hichilema!

Woodpecker’s Digest perceives the suggestion by President Hichilema of involving the Zambia Army in maintaining law and order as a deliberate step towards distancing the country from democratic norms.

Lusaka, June 6 – Inspector General of Police, Graphael Musamba, recently gave the official position of the Zambia Police on why every proposed opposition political rally is blocked ever since he was appointed, stating that armed UPND cadres are always ready to attack the opposition.

In the past week, UPND cadres have become increasingly audacious, openly carrying dangerous weapons to the extent of even hindering the New Heritage Party’s rally on Saturday, June 1, 2024.

Also Read: Zambia: An analysis of the Catholic Bishops’ condemnation of the conduct of the Zambia Police!

The Kabwe incident highlights potential abuses of power and the need for transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights in our country’s political landscape.

Graphael Musamba’s statement inadvertently reveals that the Zambia Police are well aware of a “ready and armed UPND attack force” poised to physically assault any opposition political party attempting to hold rallies.

Musamba and the Zambia Police are responsible for upholding law and order and safeguarding the rights of all Zambians to freely associate and assemble.

Despite being aware of the threat posed by the armed UPND attack force, the Police has chosen not to address it. Instead, it has persistently infringed upon the democratic rights of opposition political parties, while ignoring the escalating danger presented by armed UPND cadres to the Zambian society at large.

Musamba’s commendable performance as Inspector General of Police during President Rupiah Banda’s tenure is well-documented. Therefore, the decline in performance could possibly be linked to his new superior, President Hichilema, who might seek to rationalize the transfer of policing responsibilities from the allegedly incompetent Zambia Police Service to the Zambia Army.

Musamba would have been dropped for gross incompetence but the President appears to be actually pleased seeing that Musamba is actually working according to his plans.

This is why despite the President’s rhetoric about violent UPND cadres being on their own, the Police has not taken any action against them or followed up complaints from the parties attacked by the armed UPND cadres, especially the Socialist Party.

Ultimately, the responsibility lies with President Hichilema, as leadership entails identifying and appointing individuals with the necessary technical expertise to key positions. Any statements made by President Hichilema regarding violence perpetrated by armed UPND cadres should be disregarded. It’s evident that President Hichilema’s remarks are merely an attempt to salvage his reputation with both the Zambian public and the international community.

For a moment, President Hichilema may lie to himself that the general public is too dull to see through his schemes but with Musamba letting Zambians know the true undemocratic credentials of the President and exposing the hidden UPND armed attack force, President Hichilema is naive not to realise that both the Zambian public and the International community fully understand the Rwanda mind games he is playing.

Also Read: Let’s advocate for patriotism instead of unquestioning allegiance!

Patriotism doesn’t entail blind support for the President but rather endorsing him only as long as he effectively serves the nation.

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