Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja said the security personnel will not entertain any invited citizen wanting to attend ceremony in a ‘drunken state’ as doing so will be a recipe to cause unnecessary apprehension.
Outgoing President Edgar Lungu will hand over the instruments of power to the President-elect in accordance with the Constitution of Zambia, Chapter One of the Laws of Zambia, after last Thursday’s outcome of general election in which, the opposition leader of United Party for National Development, Mr. Hakainde emerged victorious.
In an interview yesterday, Mr. Kanganja said anybody plotting to cause disorder before, during and after inauguration of the new President would be met with a heavy hand by security personnel.
“As the nation is eagerly waiting for the inauguration of the President-Elect Mr. Hakainde Hichilema today, the Zambia Police Service will ensure that the inauguration ceremony is conducted in a peaceful environment and shall not tolerate any form of lawlessness to characterize the event during and after,” he said.
The Police Chief advised citizens that would not be invited to attend the ceremony in person to adhere to the Government’s guidance to monitor the proceedings on television, radio and online social media platforms that would stream the event live.
Mr. Kanganja said there would be detailed security screening procedures and reminded those that would be invited in person to comply as men and women in uniform would be doing the security checkups.
And the Police Chief expressed gratitude to all police officers, defense force personnel, the Electoral Commission of Zambia, political parties, candidates who contested at various levels and the patriotic Zambians throughout the country for the overwhelming support and cooperation during the just ended general election.
He said the directive by the outgoing Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, President Lungu to deploy defense personnel to complement the Zambia Police Service in maintaining law and order before, during and
after the election enhanced the security and the management of elections.
Mr. Kanganja directed that as the country welcomed the in-coming Government, police officers should to take keen interest in presidential directives and pronouncements so that the service remains focused in implementing government policies.
“I wish to remind you that as police officers, we are always guided by our various regulations such as service standing orders and the code of conduct among others to remain professional and always support the
government of the day,” he said.
