From ALEX NJOVU in Kitwe
GOVERNMNET says the five-police officers manning the Lufwanyama police station are struggling to tackle the increasing crime levels in the vast district.
Lufwanyama district commissioner Alex Kalela said in a telephone interview yesterday in Lufwanyama that there is need for the Ministry of Home Affairs to send more police officers to the district.
Mr Kalela noted that the newly-constructed police station is supposed to have about 25 police officers, a move he said would significantly help to reduce crime in the district.
“The district has continued to record crime cases almost on daily bases. Some cases such as man-slaughter and murder are not even reported to the police. People kill their friends and bury them without the police knowing,” Mr Kalela said.
He said it is difficult for five police officers to maintain law and order in huge district like Lufwanyama.
“The officers are not mobile, they don’t have adequate transport and yet Lufwanyama district is one of the biggest districts in Zambia. Crime is equally high in mine areas, something must be done to reduce crime levels in the district,” he said.
Mr Kalela is hopeful that Government through the Ministry of Home Affairs will soon address the matter.
He said traditional leaders and their subjects are equally-concerned with the increasing crime levels in the area.
“We are also waiting for the commissioning of the police station. I have been told that some officers will be deployed to the district once they complete their training in various police colleges in the country,” Mr Kalela said.
He assured the people that Government is committed to maintaining law and order in the area.
Mr Kalela said more police officers will soon be deployed to the district.
He urged the people especially the youths to desist from activities that are endangering the peace of the district.