Lungu begs public to be patient with police as he puts Kanganja on probation

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has asked the public to be patient and allow the Zambia Police conduct a professional investigation in the shooting incident which ended the lives of two men a week ago.

National Prosecutions Authority prosecutor Nsama Nsama along with UPND supporter Joseph Kaunda were shot dead in what Police say were “unclear circumstances” as UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema arrived for questioning at Police Force Headquarters in Lusaka last Wednesday.

The deaths of the duo sparked public uproar with many accusing the Police of being responsible.

Reacting to the shootings, President Lungu said he would not allow anybody to seize the country’s criminal justice as long as he remained in power.

He ordered for speedy investigation and that a report be handed to him by last Monday.

In a statement yesterday, President Lungu said he had received the report but it was not conclusive.

And now the Head of State has put Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja on six-month probation for him to prove himself by working to restore the “eroding public confidence in the service”.

President Lungu also announced the dismissal Kanganja’s two deputies Bonny Kapeso and Eugene Sibote who were in charge of operations and administration respectively.

Nelson Phiri who was in the company of officers who harassed and pointed pointed their guns at an unarmed and calm man near cabinet office has also been fired.

President Lungu asked the public to allow investigators to do a professional job, regardless of who was involved in the killings.

He said he had made changes in the Police Service Command to allow for a speedy enquiry.

“Let me emphasize that investigations into the matter have not been concluded. I, therefore, call upon witnesses, apart from those interviewed already to help the Police with any information. I do not want the matter to be prejudiced, and I ask members of the public allow investigators to do a professional job, regardless of who is involved,” he said.

“To this effect I have made changes to the Zambia Police Service Command. I have given Inspector General Mr. Kakoma Kanganja a six month contract to transform the institution and regain people’s confidence. This is to enable him conclude the investigations into the killing of two innocent Zambians and allow him to reorganize the Police Service with a view to restoring the eroding public confidence in the service. This will form the basis for his performance appraisal for further consideration,” he added.

President replaced Kapeso with Charity Katanga as Deputy Inspector General Police operations while Richard Mweene was promoted to the position of Deputy Inspector General of Police-Administration.

“I have further transferred Eastern Province Commissioner of Police, Mr. Lackson Sakala to Lusaka to replace Mr. Nelson Phiri whose contract has not been renewed. North Western Province Commissioner of Police, Mr. Elias Chushi has been transferred to the Copperbelt Province,” President Lungu said.

Further, President Lungu moved Muchinga Province Commissioner of Police, Joel Njase to North Western Province while State House Deputy Commissioner of Police, Geza Lungu was promoted to Commissioner of Police and moved to Eastern Province.

“I have also promoted Airport Police Division Deputy Commissioner of Police Ms. Lizzy Machina as Muchinga Province Commissioner of Police. Lilayi Training College Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Jestus Nsokolo has been promoted as Commissioner of Police to head Northern Province,” said President Lungu.

“I have also promoted Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police, Dr. Charles Mbita as Deputy Commissioner of Police, Lilayi Training College and also promoted Senior Assistant Police Commissioner, Tazara Division, and Mr. Lazarus Mbuzi to the position of Deputy Commissioner of Police for Central Province,” added President Lungu.

©Kalemba December 30, 2020