SOCIALIST PARTY PRESIDENT DR. FRED M’MEMBE RAISES ALARM OVER POLICE MILITARIZATION
Lusaka, Zambia — Socialist Party President Dr Fred M’membe has expressed grave concerns over the increasing militarization of the Zambian police service.
Speaking at the Lusaka Magistrate Court on Wednesday, Dr. M’membe highlighted the worrying trend of transforming a civilian institution into a military-like force, warning of severe consequences for civil liberties and public safety.
“There is a worrying trend that is emerging in our country, and that is the militarization of the police service here,” Dr. M’membe stated.
“When you turn the police service, which is supposed to be a civilian organization, into a military institution, there will be problems. They are being armed like an army, and their conduct is increasingly becoming that of the military.” He added.
Dr. M’membe emphasized the fundamental difference between police and military roles, pointing out that the primary function of the police is to maintain law and order without resorting to lethal force.
“The police is not there to k!ll or maim,” he asserted.
“The militarization of the police service is going to pass by. When police officers are militarized, they start to behave in such a way that they behave like they are at war.” He added
He warned that the militarization of the police could lead to increased violations of civil liberties and human rights.
“Zambia has become a battlefield now. When the police become a military unit, civil liberties are affected. People’s rights will be violated. The killing and maiming of civilians by the police will increase.” He said .
Dr. M’membe called on Zambians to pay close attention to the said alarming trend, urging vigilance and advocacy against the further militarization of the police force.
Meanwhile Dr. M’membe has criticized the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) and the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) over alleged collusion in the recently concluded Kawambwa by-elections.
Dr. M’membe accused the ECZ of conspiring with the UPND to manipulate the election process in their favor.
“ECZ is in cahoots with UPND. They can no longer conceal the fact that there is corroboration,” Dr. M’membe lamented.
He pointed out several irregularities that, according to him, indicate a coordinated effort to undermine the fairness of the election.
“If you scrutinize the Kawambwa by-election, the announcement on a Thursday that there will be nominations on Saturday, when Friday was a holiday, where do people get papers to be verified? Nowhere. They themselves had everything ready. They were ready for that election because they were corroborating with ECZ.” He said .
Dr. M’membe highlighted the challenges faced by opposition candidates in such an environment. “We were lucky we had a candidate who had papers ready. Otherwise, nobody would have participated in that election.” He said .
He expressed concern that the ruling party’s strategy was to ensure an uncontested win. “They wanted to go unopposed. They are eager to get every seat at any cost. They want to win every election at any cost.” He added.
Dr. M’membe has appeared before Lusaka Magistrate court for mention on an alleged charge of seditious practices .
It is alleged that on July 16, 2024, between 13:00 hours and 14:00 hours, Dr. M’membe published an article on his Twitter and Facebook pages titled “Tshisekedi tells DRC Catholic Bishops about the USD 20 Million Payout to buy Zambia’s silence.”
Police allege this was contrary to section 57(I)(C) as read with Section 60(I)(B) of the Penal Code Act, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.
Matter has since been adjourned to 25th,26th and 27th November 2024 for trial .
Later , the socialist party leader took time to visit Thomas Zgambo a journalist who has been under detention for 21 days .
#SPMEDIA2024