Kanganja completes six-month presidential probation

INSPECTOR General of Police Kakoma Kanganja has a completed a six-month probation period imposed on him by President Edgar Lungu last December.

The Head of State tasked Kanganja to restore the low-level public confidence in the Zambia Police Service after one of his officers shot dead Nsama Nsama, a Government prosecutor and Joseph Kaunda – a UPND supporter.

The shooting which took place on the morning of December 23, 2020 as UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema arrived for questioning at Police Force Headquarters in Lusaka and escorted by hundreds of supporters sparked widespread public outrage.

In reacting to the incident, President Lungu made sweeping changes to the Zambia Police service immediately retiring Bonny Kapeso and Eugene Sibote as deputy Inspectors General of Police in charge of operation and administration respectively.

Overzealous Nelson Phiri who was Lusaka Province Police Commissioner at the time was also given the boot.

As for Kanganja, President Lungu placed him on a six-month probation “to prove himself by working to restore the eroding public confidence in the service”.

“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,” President Lungu at the time.

Constable Fanwel Nyundu has been arrested and charged with the murder of the two men.

But on May 3, President Lungu sounded what he called a “last test” to Kanganja after police despite being present failed to arrest PF cadres who violently turned on each other at the secretariat in Lusaka two days earlier.

President Lungu is yet to say whether Kanganja has impressed or not but at the moment the Police is being kept busy by protesting resident doctors whom he says are holding “ilegal zoom meetings,” to press for salary arrears and improved working conditions.

@As a member of the public, what has been your impression of the Zambia Police Service in the last six months, have they won your confidence? Explain your answer!

©Kalemba May 31, 2021