Kajoba warns against violence in Kabwata

Inspector general of police Lemmy Kajoba has warned people that may have intentions to cause confusion in the forthcoming by elections in Kabwata, Senanga and Milenge  to desist as they risk facing the wrath of the law.

Mr. Kajoba says the Zambia police service will not tolerate illegal practices such as political violence and other electoral related offences in Kabwata constituency, Liangati ward of Senanga town in western province and Sokontwe ward of Milenge district in Luapula province.

He has appealed to the electorate in Kabwata constituency, Liangati and Sokontwe wards to go and exercise their democratic rights of electing their preferred candidates without coercion.

Mr. Kajoba said enough police officers have been deployed on the ground adding that Kabwata constituency has been divided into four police operational zones aimed at easing public access to the police and enhancing quick response to emergencies.

He said the police have the mandate of maintaining law and order in the country with the major task being to create a safe and secure environment for all participating electoral stakeholders irrespective of their political affiliation or organizations.

And Mr. Kajoba has advise all political players to strictly adhere to the provisions of the electoral process act number 35 of 2016 and other related pieces of legislation to ensure that peace prevails during and after the 20th January by elections.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kajoba  has observed with deep concern the continued reports of illegal land allocation and harassment of members of the public in some markets and bus stations by some criminal minded persons.

He has since directed all divisional commanding officers to execute the new dawn government directives of non-tolerance of illegal acts such as caderism and extortion of money in markets, at bus stations and illegal land allocation by criminal minded persons masquerading as cadres of a political party.

Mr. Kajoba says joint operations between the state and council police officers should be intensified in trading and residential areas so that maximum protection is provided to the citizens and property further stating that the rule of law shall and always be applied firmly and fairly and all culprits found wanting must be dealt with sternly.