LIBONGANI

By JAMES KUNDA –
INSPECTOR General of Police Stella Libongani has cautioned that breach of the Public Order Act by political parties will attract penal sanctions.
Ms Libongani said in a statement that police were concerned that some political parties want to disregard the provisions of the Public Order Act when they have intentions of holding public meetings or processions.
Ms Libongani was reacting to a statement by the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) to ‘go the CHA CHA CHA way.’
“As regards the Press statement issued by the deputy spokesperson Mr Edwin Lifwekelo, if what the UPND means by the ‘CHA CHA CHA way’ is civil disobedience, then that is totally wrong.
“We would want to urge them to always seek peaceful means to have their concerns or grievances addressed by relevant authorities as provided for in the Public Order Act as any other means not prescribed by law may amount to a breach of public peace that may attract penal sanctions,” she said.
Ms Libongani said the role of the police is to regulate public functions using the Act and apart from providing for how people intending to exercise their rights should conduct themselves, the law equally provides for how those who are aggrieved should seek redress.
She reiterated that the police service has time and again been reminding political parties of the need to abide by the Public Order Act as regards the holding of public meetings or processions.
“We have noted with concern that some political parties want to disregard the provisions of the public order act when they have intentions of holding such public meetings or processions,” Ms Libongani said.