Maravi

Lifuka accuses police of double standards

Lifuka accuses police of double standards
By Ernest Chanda
Thu 27 May 2010, 04:01 CAT

TRANSPARENCY International Zambia (TIZ) president Reuben Lifuka has charged that police are playing double standards when applying the law. In an interview, Lifuka said police were quick to caution and arrest people deemed to have offended those in the ruling party and government.

He said cases where people had complained against those in government or the MMD had been buried without any action.

"Transparency International Zambia has observed with dismay, the double standards or indeed the selective application of the law by the Zambia Police Service. We have noted that cases involving the ruling party and government leaders, are expressly dealt with while cases involving the opposition political parties and perceived opponents of government, do not receive similar attention. A case in point is that of the attack on Zambezi West UPND parliamentarian Hon. Charles Kakoma. The Zambia Police have not acted swiftly in apprehending the suspected attackers like they did in the case of Solwezi Central UPND parliamentarian Hon Watson Lumba - a matter that is already before the courts," Lifuka said.

“Additionally, we have seen the Police record a warn and caution statement from Fr Frank Bwalya on the allegations of defamation of the Republican President and yet similar action has not been taken on the complaints Fr Bwalya brought against Mr William Banda – the MMD acting provincial chairperson. Again, we wish to register our concern that in Zambia, we seem to have two systems of justice, one for the poor and unconnected and another for the rich and well-connected. This is a recipe for anarchy in the country and we can only urge the Zambia Police to act in an impartial and fair manner and bring all culprits to book, notwithstanding the political sensitivities surrounding some of the cases."

Lifuka called on the Zambia Police to redeem itself from the public perception that it is not neutral.

"We have no doubt that Zambia Police Service has a good number of well qualified and experienced officers who can serve this country with dignity if given the support and latitude to do their work,” he said.

“Political interference is taking away the trust and confidence that people have in the Police Service and we want to urge the government and particularly the new Minister of Home Affairs to ensure that professionalism is restored and upheld in the Police Service."

In November last year, Lusaka Province MMD youth chairman Chris Chalwe and others threatened to gang-rape Forum for Democracy and Development leader Edith Nawakwi.

When asked to take action, Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde said threatening violence was non-criminal offence.

Despite Nawakwi lodging a complaint at Lusaka Central Police over two months ago, no action has been taken.

And during the Mufumbwe parliamentary by-election campaigns last month, Kakoma was attacked by MMD cadres who badly injured him.

But immediately after the MMD lost that election, the police quickly arrested Solwezi Central UPND member of parliament Watson Lumba for alleged abduction of a police officer, among other charges.

Last week, opposition UPND women's league matched to force headquarters calling for the removal of Kabonde.

But chief government spokesperson Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha dismissed the call, saying those asking for Kabonde's dismissal were dreaming.

Last Monday, police in Luanshya recorded a warn and caution statement from Fr Frank Bwalya for the alleged defamation of President Banda.

Labels: POLICE CORRUPTION, REUBEN LIFUKA, TIZ

posted by MrK @ 2:48 PM