Sunday, December 22, 2024

President Sata raises concern over unfit and overweight senior police officers

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Malcolm Mutale Mulenga, Commissioner Luapula , with Ms Lombe Bwalya Kamukoshi, Commissioner Western Province
Malcolm Mutale Mulenga, Commissioner Luapula , with Ms Lombe Bwalya Kamukoshi, Commissioner Western Province

PRESIDENT Sata yesterday raised concern regarding police officers who are over-weight saying they might find challenges executing their duties which often require fitness.

President Sata expressed the concern when he swore in Mr Malcolm Mulenga and Ms Lombe Kamukoshi as Luapula and Western Province police commissioners at State House yesterday.

The President said police officers need regular exercises to execute their duties efficiently and effectively.

[pullquote]“How can this police officer run? There is need for these people to have regular training. Do we still have press-ups in the Police Service?” President Sata said, pointing at one of the officers he was swearing in.[/pullquote]

“Police officers must be physically fit through regular training. This is the only way they can execute their duties efficiently,” he said.

President Sata discouraged a trend where police officers spotted pot bellies that could hinder them from performing their duties well.

“How can this police officer run? There is need for these people to have regular training. Do we still have press-ups in the Police Service?” President Sata said, pointing at one of the officers he was swearing in.

Mr Sata directed Inspector-General of Police Stella Libongani to address the issue, saying it was not right to have overweight senior police officers manning provinces.

80 COMMENTS

    • May be we should start calling Zambia, republic of Muchinga- are these the relatives Watchdog was talking about? So they are unfit, how come you do know your own nephew bwana.

  1. And the guy still accepted to be sworn-in after being rediculed like that, or indeed, the President continued swearing in someone who was unfit, according to his accessment!

  2. The Zambian Chief Commander of the Armed Forces hates officers who shave bald and those with pott belies.

  3. Mbesuma was never allowed to play football at portsmouth because of over weight. Why did the presedent swear in this man?

  4. Is that all he had to talk about? This President is really not only a mad President but he is a also a mad dog. Please let him die quickly so that the country can move on

    • Bane take your frustrations elsewhere. What is wrong with the president advising security officers to be fit?

    • Why does it sound so bad to some people just because it’s a Zambian President who said it, had it been Barack Obama or David Cameron, there would have been no negative comments. Obesity has become a serious issue in most parts of the world, it’s being discussed even in presidential offices

    • Iwe gumu gume, you lack sense for sure. The president is talking about importance of training and keeping a fit police service in the presence of the IG and you think, he is a mad dog? You are truly cursed and your own days are numbered for insulting an elderly person like HEMCS!

  5. Manje’ if you open this can of worms, you will be leaving yourself open, as one could say your Defence chief Should be fit, to set an example to the forces under his command. Sensitive one here Mr President.

  6. The president is not talking about issues affecting the country but weights Fat John GBM, Little Wynter Kabimba and Fat poice office, Yaaaaaaaa

  7. Ni ma T-Bone and sausage and chips after manning road blocks meant to fill up bellies. “Good morning” is to assess whether you are a Zambian. “Musebenza kuti” is just being cautious in case you work for the state. And then “mulinazingati yolipila, ise njala”. Next you see then buying good milile.

    • And please while you have the right to advise them to be healthy by way of exercise do it privately. I mean do not embarrass any one. I really feel for this officer. Why hasn’t GBM and the other obese fellows been told the same ba president?

  8. THE PRESIDENT IS SPOT ON! WE NEED FIT PEOPLE AND HE WAS JUST EXPRESSING HIS CONCERNS. IT IS SURPRISING THAT BLOGGERS DON’T LIKE THE PRESIDENT’S CONCERNS.

    WHAT SORT OF PATRIOTISM IS THIS YOU BLOGGERS? I HOPE YOU ARE NOT BEING DRIVEN BY HATRED, WHICH WILL NEVER TAKE YOU ANYWHERE.

    • It is not hatred it is about talking issues of substance, issues that make sense, issues that take our country forward not bedroom issues.

    • MMD cadre the issue of a health and fit police service will take this country forward and it has nothing to do with your bedroom. Why ba changa imwe you criticise even good things? Go to HELL KANSHI WE!

    • Anyone who thinks this was the right occasion and forum to raise awareness of obesity is at worst ignorant, at best not well-travelled.

      A President does not make negative personal remarks at anyone in public. If indeed he considers fitness an issue to be addressed, He should acquaint himself with the processes and procedures to initiate health programmes.

    • Imwe ba Chiduku fimofimo travelling doesnt make one smart.. you are just trying to show off to those of us who are not abroad.. ubupuba

    • Not show off. Traveling broadens your horizons. Umwana ashenda atashishe Nina ukunaya.

      Believe it or not I’d rather be home right now – and I would be if I had money (lots and lots of it).

      And going abroad is not considered anything special anymore, except by you.

  9. The president may have said it as a joke but he was dead right.To be overweight in the military and police is a sign of indiscpline.Something must be done even ku ZNS,Army and ZAF.All with pot bellies must be retired in public interest.

  10. Every day when I read Zambian papers I scratch my head and wonder how and why in the world Zambians voted for such a man to lead them! He has no leadership quality.How do you demean someone you are swearing in?Why did you appoint him in the first place if you though he was unfit.Zambians what have you done?

    • You had all the money in MMD era. there is nothing PF can do that can please you. Leave our President alone.. we have seen what the Govt is doing in Development. in our compound all Roads are tar macdamised. every where there is something being done.

  11. Police must be physically fit . That the ONLY way they can execute their duties SATA said. Is sata aware that mordern crime is commited on the keyboard. That explains why he has failed to shut ZWD. Its about brains.

  12. “Police must be physically fit . Thats the ONLY way they can execute their duties,” SATA said. Is sata aware that most mordern crime is commited on the keyboard. Most evidence is connected to phone and computer use. That explains why he has failed to shut ZWD. Its about brains.

  13. After the stupid utterances at the swearing in about fat officers, the doctors in India have recalled Sata for more treatment. He has snuck out of the country again for more treatment.

    • So is his Gov’t spokesman and his Livingston MP who are both on their sick beds yet we continue to pay them…his words sound hollow and irrelevant by each passing day.

  14. Tell them Sir, i never get it why people think being fat is cool, it is unhealthy, most people who are fat go through depression, unfortunately Zambians have no idea, they think when you are fat you are eating well, it’s the other way round, it means your body is telling you something, Depression, digestion problems, diabetic, unhealthy diet among others. i personally find it ugly, and most people who are fat are mean especially in europe, full of jealous i cant go in details thats something else, but thank God the head of state is aware. Now ba kaseba, i love you but please hit the Gym, i know with age, weight becomes a problem and you cant shake those pounds easily, Zambians a healthy people entells a healthy nation!

  15. But Why Can’t We Zambians Articulate In A Sober And Mature Manner. Gugulethu Mandaba’s Posting Is Really In Bad Taste And Is Actually Defaming The Head Of State. It Is Such Insulting Childish Contributions That Brought The Demise Of The Zambian Watchdog. Let Us Learn To Discuss Issues Concerning Our Motherland Without The Use Of Profanities. No One Is Saying You Can’t Disagree With The Current Government But Language Please!

    • Zambian watchdog the online publication cannot be accessed by most of us with normal G3 gadgets! Maketula, which ZWD are you accessing kanshi?

    • @Phakeni

      For the 700th time I will state my position on using bad language.

      1. We are all adults.
      2. You are not our mother
      3. Insults provide emphasis
      4. Sometimes only a swear-word will adequately express my frustration
      5. I find that people who use swear words are more trustworthy & truthful
      6. Sit the fcuk back down

    • Furthermore, capitalizing the first letter of every word is stupid.

  16. These weekly swearing in shows have become a huge problem and an embarrassment to those involved. When a citizen is sworn in it should bring pride and encouragement but instead they are being publicly dressed down by the president.
    I suppose commissioner Malcolm Mulenga is a husband and a father, imagine how his family may have felt and what must have gone on in his mind when the president made those hurtful remarks.

    • Brace yourself for more hollow utterances from Sata as there is more next week for the newly appointed Transport PS.

    • I have a belly but not even as big as Commissioner Mules and my daughter is always complaining that she feels embarrassed whenever I go to pick her up at school. I am sure Commissioner Mules children are probably saying to him ” what did we tell u dad? There can never be an excuse for a police officer to develop such a scandallous tummy. Plz dont blame my beloved President. The bwana mukubwa had it coming. If it wasnt for chakuvuli (back door) Commissioner Mules bedroom performance would be terribly impaired. The juniour bwanas would start chewimg missus, problems in the service. Weldone H.E u have saved this guys marriage as well.

  17. The way I see it, these officers have the right to be fat considering they did their job when they were junior officers. Now’s is the time for them to be in the offices coordinating and training these stup1d corrupt, uneducated junior officers. You can’t surely expect someone to be doing press-ups throughout their lives even when they qualify to hold senior positions. Grow up people.

  18. SPOT ON MR PRESIDENT, IT IS SAD THAT YOU HAVE ENCOURAGED IT, YOUR MINISTER OF SPORTS, MINISTER OF DEFENSE AND MANY OTHERS ARE VERY MUCH OVERWEIGHT, START BY FIRING KAMBWILI AND GBM. IN FACT MOST ZAMBIANS NOT EVEN POLICE AND MILITARY BUT EVEN CIVILIANS ARE OVER WEIGHT. WORKING OUT IS NOT ENCOURAGED. PEOPLE SHOULD BE HEALTH CONSCIOUS. ZAMBIAN HAVE BECOME SO LAZY AND THINK BELLIES ARE A SIGN OF WEALTH. START WORKING TODAY, AS FEW SIT-UPS, JOGGING AND PRESS-UPS CAN HELP.

    • @ THE PRINCE’
      The president’s message is fine but the problem is the way it is put across, the occasion where it is done and the president’s insensitivity on other peoples feelings.

    • Prince the man in the picture cannot manage press-ups. He can start with squats and weights and after that tummy is reduced a little he can add press-ups and sit-ups.
      He is really overweight for a policeman. No doubt Mr. President sir!

  19. De President was right . lt was a light moment but dese cocroaches want 2 turn it into something else .Demons! U think wen u are obess it is de sign of being wealthdereby looking wise. fo ols!The presindent was saving his life by jovioly saying dat.

  20. Anyway, the man got the message and I am sure he will take steps to reduce that belly. It never hits you until someone tells you. Once my spouse said you are gorgeous and I love you dearly, but honey it wouldn’t hurt to start going to the gym again.
    Now I am truly happy agile and look 10 years younger. Zambians need to realise that fitness is a great part of being health. Obesity comes with all sorts of complications such as high blood pressure, diabetes, gall bladder disease and erectile dysfunctional complications.
    So, ALL MY FELLOW ZAMBIANS KEEP FIT!

  21. I also don’t like the way our men in uniform look, be it Army, Police, or ZAF officers including the way they walk or stand. They are just like civilians. This also applies to security Guards like armcor.

  22. An experienced chef in Australia from SA has his work permit not renewed due to over weight the President is right on this one.look at the British Police officers they al fit

  23. YES THEY ARE VERY UNFIT. JUST LIKE THE MAN IN THE PICTURE- HE IS TOO FAT HE CAN’T EVEN RUN AFTER A THIEF. ALL POLICECONSTABLES/OFFICERS SHOULD BE PUT ON GET FIT PROGRAM AND CONTINUED TO MAINTAIN FITNESS, JESUS CHRIST WHAT A BUNCH OF OBESE POLICE FORCE?

  24. Kanchinje ishina
    The President was very right. Policemen and the army are the last professions to be having fatcats. Here in South Africa they have been told to slim down and they are now enrolled in gyms. Kapokola no lufumo cant mix! There should be no diplomacy about this. Give them a grace period and then Just fire all overweight police officers after that.

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