Maravi

Tembo orders closure of Masaiti, Kafulafuta police cells

Tembo orders closure of Masaiti, Kafulafuta police cells
By Darious Kapembwa in Kitwe
Fri 22 June 2012, 13:22 CAT

COPPERBELT Police Commissioner Mary Tembo has closed holding cells at Masaiti and Kafulafuta police stations due to their inhabitable conditions.

And Tembo says the command in the province has secured land for the construction of toilets for police at Garneton and Mindolo police stations in Kitwe where officers use the nearby bushes to answer the call of nature.

In an interview yesterday, Tembo said she was forced to take the action following concerns raised by the Human Rights Commission and chiefs after they visited the two police stations.

"I decided to close the cells because of the dilapidated state in which they are. The chiefs and the Human Rights Commission condemned the state of affairs of the cells," Tembo explained.

"But I am working to ensure that those cells are refurbished into habitable facilities as soon as possible. It is very dangerous that my officers have to transport suspects to Luanshya and Kitwe on a daily basis and the response from well-wishers for the reconstruction that we have approached is very good," Tembo said.

Meanwhile, Tembo said she had secured land from Kitwe City Council for the construction of a police station at Garneton where there is no police station.

"I was very disappointed that what is supposed to be an inquiries office, is an exhibition room. So I went there myself to have an on the spot check and I think that we'll have to build a big police post with about 10 to 15 houses before the onset of the rains," she said.

"In Mindolo when the honourable member of parliament visited the area last time, it was discovered that officers are using the bush due to lack of toilets and we also discovered that there are a number of problems in Mindolo police camp. So immediately we get the bill of quantity, we'll start and we expect the business community to help because we work for the community to safeguard lives and business," said Tembo.

Labels: POLICE, PRISONS

posted by MrK @ 2:45 PM