INSPECTOR-GENERAL of Police Martin Malama has issued a stern warning that police will not tolerate unruly behaviour and general disregard of traffic regulations from overzealous motorists before and after the Africa Cup of Nations final between Zambia and Ivory coast tonight.
Malama said at a media briefing in Lusaka yesterday that police officers have been put on alert to deal with erring motorists or persons whose behaviour on the road will endanger other people’s lives.
“Let’s remain calm during and after the game. Let celebrations be conducted within the confines of the governing laws of the nation. As a police, we will not condone any exhibition of unruly behaviour from anyone,” Malama said.
He said it was regrettable that the last two games which Zambia played and emerged victorious had resulted in the loss of lives, which he noted could have been avoided had motorists adhered to traffic regulations.
Malama said from January 21, about 510 accidents had been recorded countrywide.
“During this period when Zambia played at the Africa Cup, 36 fatal accidents were recorded, 46 lives were lost and 60 serious injuries. Then 89 people were seriously injured while 105 were involved slight accidents. Some 110 people were slightly injured and 284 reported damages to property,” he said.
Malama, who urged soccer fans to celebrate responsibly, said victory of the Zambia national team called for jubilation and not sorrow.
Chipolopolo_victoryAnd Minister of Home Affairs Minister Kennedy Sakeni has advised soccer fans to celebrate peacefully and in an orderly manner as Zambians prepare to watch the final.
The Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) in partnership with Zambia Police have also intensified patrols over the weekend starting yesterday.
According to a statement issued yesterday by Home Affairs spokesperson Moses Siwali, Sakeni said he is saddened by the loss of lives after every game.
“I implore all football-loving Zambians to celebrate peacefully and in an orderly manner on Sunday (today) when the Chipolopolo face Ivory Coast to avoid the loss of more lives as it has been the case,” he said.
Sakeni said there is no need for Zambians to leave their homes and flock into the streets blocking the flow of traffic.
He also said that not only lives are lost but criminals take advantage of the situation to rob innocent celebrating members of the public.
He appealed to Zambians to desist from excessive drinking, especially after Zambia’s victory.
And RTSA principal publicity officer Mercy Mwila said in a statement that while the agency joins the rest of the country in celebrating and wishing the Chipolopolo a victorious outcome today, RTSA remains committed to ensuring that sanity on roads prevails.
“We are concerned that many motorists and pedestrians alike are involving themselves in risky and unsafe road behaviour as expressions of joy. And the agency would like to caution members of the public that this kind of over-excitement can impair one’s judgement and can expose them to risks leading to the loss of life or serious injury,” Mwila said.
And police officers will this evening be deployed in various locations in Central Province to maintain law and order.
Central Province police commissioner Solomon Jere said in an interview in Kabwe yesterday that police will be alert in Kabwe, Mumbwa, Kapiri Mposhi, Mkushi and Serenje to ensure that the celebrations will be peaceful and incident-free.
Jere urged soccer fans who wish to throng the streets in their respective districts to be cautious and safeguard against the loss of life.
“We are deploying police officers who will be alert. This is a special operation which will cover Kabwe, Mumbwa, Kapiri Mposhi Mkushi and Serenje. In Kabwe, we shall have more officers so that we don’t have any death in the soccer frenzy which we are likely to have after Zambia beat Ivory Coast,” Dr Jere said.
And police on the Copperbelt say they will intensify patrols following this evening final.
Copperbelt police commissioner Mary Tembo has also appealed to the public to celebrate within their residential areas as opposed to trooping into town.
“We are going to intensify our patrols to protect lives of the people and property,” she said.
Ms Tembo said business should go on without any obstruction as some people will be working.
“At the hospitals, people will be working and patients being rushed to health institutions should not be obstructed by overzealous soccer fans,” she said.
She said motorists should not ignore the road regulations by honking uncontrollably as that causes noise pollution.
The police commissioner also called on bar-owners to ensure that they also help in maintaining peace.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
OK let us celebrate responsibly we have already lost many ZAMBIANS IN THE PLANE CRUSH SO THIS GAME SHOULD NOT BRING SADINESS TO OUR NATION. BE COOL AND DRINK RESPONSIBLY. VIVA CHIPOLOPOLO.
make sure you guys hang around the compounds..!mumayard kuno kulibe ..
I will go for free sex pa ZONE PLAZA , i will park my car , walk their and do my thing in style after the match.
No matter what you do, you can’t stop people from celebrating. There is nothing to compare todays feat to. Those that will die, I say MYSRIP.
why die for nothing? lets celebrate responsibly. as for me and my family, we will watch chipolopolo humble drogba and company, at home, in the sitting room, with doors firmly locked to ensure that we are safe and sound from would be intruders in the name of celebrations. watch out!
If Zambians only shown this type to dedication to productivity….drink driving is bad, why put the lives of other road users!!
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AM A DISTRICT MESSENGER FROM SOLWEZI I WOULD TO SAY CONGRATS IG