. LIBONGANI

By CLEVER ZULU –
INSPECTOR General of Police Stella Libongani has warned people planning to hold public processions against flouting the Public Order Act.
Ms Libongani told a media briefing in Lusaka yesterday that those wishing to hold public processions such as demonstrations should abide by the provisions of the Public Order Act.
“As Zambia Police we have time and again reminded those wishing to hold public processions to abide by the provisions of the Public Order Act.
“As a law enforcement agency, we will not relent to remind and enforce the provisions of this Act in order to maintain law and order in the country,” she said.
Ms Libongani warned anyone who would breach the Act of stern action from the police.
“Those who are calling for the breach of this Act, we would like to send a timely warning that we will not tolerate lawlessness in the country.
“Those wishing to demonstrate are free to do so as long as they follow the provisions of the Public Order Act,” she said.
She said the police service would use all the powers vested in it as the principal law enforcement agency to ensure that law and order in Zambia was maintained.
Ms Libongani directed all provincial commissioners to be on the lookout for any groups planning to demonstrate and ensure that their requests for public processions were attended to.
Yesterday, United Party for National Development (UPND) deputy secretary general, Kuchunga Simusamba was quoted in some sections of the media as saying the party would no longer notify the police of any demonstrations and rallies.
Mr Simusamba said the UPND would instead hold random rallies because previous attempts to get police clearance had not yielded the desired results.