POLICE officers deployed for this Thursday’s hotly anticipated by-election in Mfuwe Constituency have been put on strict notice that anyone who drinks on duty will be fired on the spot.
Addressing over 400 police officers ahead of the polls, Muchinga Province Police Commissioner Dennis Moola reminded officers to carry professionalism on their shoulders and not the smell of kachasu in their breath.
“If you take alcohol when you are on duty, it’s instant dismissal,” Commissioner Moola warned sternly during a deployment briefing held on Monday.
Mfuwe heads to the polls tomorrow, to elect a new Member of Parliament following the incarceration of former lawmaker Maureen Mabonga.
At the same time, local government by-elections will take place in Shabo ward of Nchelenge District and Kashiba ward.
To ensure smooth and peaceful elections, at least 400 officers have been deployed across 36 polling stations in Mfuwe, where about 20,000 registered voters are expected to cast their ballots.
Moola told officers that the Zambia Police Service has zero tolerance for unprofessional conduct, especially during elections, where one wrong move could spark violence.
He urged officers to remember that their families depend on them and that losing a job over alcohol would not only bring shame but also hardship.
The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) also weighed in on the matter, with Commissioner McDonald Chipenzi reminding officers that elections are unpredictable and require them to stay vigilant and alert at all times.
“Today it may be peaceful, but in an hour’s time things can flip. That’s why we must always be ready,” said Chipenzi.
Meanwhile, the campaign trail in Lavushimanda’s Mfuwe Constituency has remained relatively calm, with three candidates on the ballot; Malama Mufunelo standing on UPND ticket, Charles Mubaanga on Socialist Party, and Brian Kunda on New Congress Party (NCP).
By George Musonda
Kalemba August 6, 2025
