Maravi

Masebo urges police to be non-selective

Masebo urges police to be non-selective
By Kabanda Chulu
Thu 05 Nov. 2009, 04:01 CAT

CHONGWE member of parliament Sylvia Masebo has warned that the tendency by the Zambia Police Service to be selective in controlling violent activities can result in civil war in the country.

And Vice-President George Kunda told Parliament that the government spent K19.5 billion during the illness and subsequent death of president Levy Mwanawasa in France last year.

Debating 2010 estimates of expenditure for the Ministry of Home Affairs on Tuesday, Masebo said the culture of violence which seemed to be developing was not good for the country.

She said there was need for increased allocations to the police service to enhance good provision of services.

“Acts of violence should not be condoned at all levels and the police should not just watch when the law is being broken, if Masebo, Chizyuka or Sinyangwe, are beaten they keep quiet but if it is Mulongoti, Sichilima and others, the police always take action and we see headlines in newspapers condemning the violent acts,” said Masebo.

“What is good is good and what is bad is bad but this kind of selective condemnation of violence is bad and this is how countries end up in civil wars and if not careful we may end up like Kenya or Zimbabwe whereby people were hacking each other on account of tribe or political affiliation.”

And Pemba member of parliament David Matongo said the violence being carried out by political parties during campaigns for elections should not be allowed to take root in the country.

Home affairs minister Lameck Mangani urged Zambians to support government through the Police in maintaining law and order in the country.

And Luapula member of parliament Peter Machungwa asked how much was spent during the illness and subsequent death of president Mwanawasa in France Last year.

Vice-President Kunda in a written answer responded that a total of K19.5 billion was spent with K2.2 billion catering for security and government officials’ stay there while K481.1 million was spent on airfares and allowances for ministers and family members who travelled to Paris.

Vice-President Kunda said K117.8 million was spent as upkeep for the first lady and her entourage in Paris while K9.1 billion was spent on transporting the remains of the late president to all provincial headquarters and K7.5 billion was spent for the funeral ceremony including burial.

Labels: POLICE, SYLVIA MASEBO

posted by MrK @ 6:35 AM