DOREEN NAWA, Lusaka
CHIEF government spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili says the United Party for National Development (UPND) should not be “ranting” on issues Government is already addressing.
Mr Kambwili was reacting to a statement from UPND Lusaka youth league co-ordinator Ephraim Shakafuswa, who has called for amendments to the Public Order Act (POA) and re-training of police officers.
Mr Kambwili said the UPND is aware of the ongoing re-training process of police officers at Lilayi and Kamfinsa training camps.
“This statement is coming because of what happened in Kamwala, which was against the law. The UPND should know that their talk is an embarrassment to the Zambian people. What they are calling for is an on-going process [re-training of police],” Mr Kambwili said.
And on the amendment of the POA, Mr Kambwili who is also Information and Boradcasting Services minister, said the UPND knows that amending the POA is done in Parliament.
Mr Kambwili also said the UPND is well-represented in Parliament where laws are made or amended.
“When we say the UPND is a party full of people that do not understand issues, we do not lie. They are aware of how a law can be amended but they keep blaming the party in government. As the PF, we will leave this to the Zambian people to judge,” Mr Kambwili said.
In his statement, Mr Shakafuswa said police actions infringe on the freedoms and rights of citizens like UPND president Hakainde Hichilima.
“The police has remained a police force as was known from the colonial [era],” the statement reads in part.