INSPECTOR General of Police Francis Kabonde has warned civil society organisations (CSOs) planning to launch protests against various national issues they would face the wrath of the law.
Mr Kabonde advised people planning to honk against whatever they were not in agreement with to rescind their decision as the laws of Zambia were clear for anyone to interpret.
He advised those planning to honk to instead engage the Government and other stakeholders in dialogue.
He said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that according to the laws, honking aimlessly was a crime and wondered why people should take to the streets instead of embracing dialogue.
“As police, we will not allow people to honk because as far as the law is concerned, it is a crime and those found to be involved in such acts will have themselves to blame, lawlessness will not be allowed,” he said.
Last weekend, some CSOs which met in Kitwe resolved to, starting this Friday, hoot and demonstrate over the alleged failure by Government to fight corruption.
Mr Kabonde said it was sad that every time some people were aggrieved, they wanted to demonstrate and cause unnecessary unrest.
He warned police should not be blamed for the action to be taken against those found flouting the laws.
He said honking was an offence under the Road Traffic Act and appealed to the public to avoid engaging themselves in acts that could cause anarchy in the country.
He said while the police acknowledged the right to freedom of expression, they would not allow people to destabalise the peace Zambia enjoys.
And Home Affairs Minister, Lameck Mangani said it was not true the Government, under the leadership of President Rupiah Banda, had failed to fight corruption.
Mr Mangani said it was sad some people with hidden agendas were trying to gain political mileage at the expense of national development.
In an interview in Lusaka, he said the Government had put in place measures aimed at scaling up the fight against corruption, which include strengthening the laws to protect whistle blowers.
“It is not that the Government has failed to fight corruption. To show its commitment, the Government is even introducing more laws to ensure the fight against corruption is a success, so what more do people want?” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Mangani has said his ministry had not received the bulletproof jackets that were bought for the Zambia Police Service.
He said the jackets would be delivered on time, as the issue had been outstanding for a long time.
The minister said the supplier, who had already been paid for the jackets, had not informed the ministry on when the goods could be delivered.
[Times of Zambia]
You mean there is a law that forbids from honking? is it a criminal offence to honk or is it flouting the by laws. can someone please elaborate
l-) Imwe naimwe ba Kabonde, what option are we left with if our very own govt. has completely failed us?
Ni democracy bawishi…..you will never silence us. [-x nizee
:-wYou have still not told us where those Presidential vehicles are, iwe Kabonde. You think we have forgotten? :o) Oops, i just honked!!
Zooona Ku Zambia ni kumushi incorporated. Honking is the most peaceful form of demonstration citizens can have. How can the citizens engage with Govt if Govt is not willing. Where are the human rights?
Iwe ka kabonde what dialogue are you talking about. You have supressed the massess,so let them express there feelings. You keep on eating tax pay’s maney.
This ful was supposed to have resigned on moral grounds to pave way for a thorough investigation for the part he played in purchasing state house equipment,he even has the gutts to say all this nonsense,mangani can protect him today,but its only for a short while,12 yrs on and Sata’s Ghosts are haunting him for 1.2billion,you will sing,your friend mateyo cried like a little,i bet you will too
Is this the same man who said threatening violence against Nawakwi is not a crime? What a dolt of an inspector Zambia has? Isn’t this the man who signed payment for vehicles that have not been delivered yet? This is the man who is for honking for soccer game, but he finds it against the law to honk better life. Zambia.
your days are numbered iwe kabonde, soon you will salute to Sata then he will fire you.
OMG! OMG! :-ss:-ss:-ss:-ss:-ss:-ss:-ss:-ss:-ss Dooooooooooooooooooooom@-)>:)>:) We are 8-x …
Forgive Kabonde you people, he probably flanked in LAW SCHOOL but licked boots up to his current position. The man is on record having said threatening violence is not a crime! So why should threatening honking even raise a hair?
Ulisondokede awalo mbuli George Kunda – I’m sure they suffer from the same disease!
Bwanamukubwa basiyeni chabe, tizaba manga, tikabamanga futi balilana lilana. Mwakamba kale bwana, tiziba nibanthu bakwa Sata. Kodi tivelana:d
We shall honk without fear- If we had fear we could not have gotten Indepence. Ask KK and you will know that one a Zambian makes up his mind no Gestapo trained Kabonde will scare them.
What dialogue is this man talking about? And anyway, when you get a chance to speak to these people, what results do you get? ZERO!!!
Do you you ever embrace in dialogue there at any of your police station? All i have seen guilty till proven guilty out there with your man at work wearing condoms oh… sorry…….. combats.
Start by arresting all those mini bus drivers first for senseless honking on the streets and contravening and then go after the rapists, murderers and corrupt politicians.:-w
Last time they tried honking in Lusaka it was a big flop, this time it will even be a BIGGER FLOP. Reason? There is no reason for honking or any form of demonstration, balesabailafye bakambwanga. Bloody time wasters!
Meanwhile Mangani has said that the bullet proof vests will be delivered on time as the issue has been outstanding for a long time. The supplier has been paid but he hasnt told the ministry when he will deliver. I have never seen such stupidity or dullness in my life. How can a minister say the vests will be delivered on time if the supplier has not told him when. The issue has been outstanding for a long time so there is no guarantee the supplier will deliver on time. Mr Minister please dont exhibit your dumbness
Leave the people alone. You say there is freedom of expression. Hooking is a way of expressing oneself.
MMD ARE COWARDS. STUPID LITTLE MEN
Bakabonde Naimwe…..Just tell us where the money for the vehicles is.HHOOOOOOOOOOOOOKKKKKK. >:)>:)>:)>:)[-x[-x:-c:-h
Peeeepeeee peeepeeee peeeeppeeee peeepeeee peeeppeee peeepeee peeepeee peeepeeee
Arrest me sir for honking on this blog
Is this the way they are going to intimidate and threaten us. Where is the freedom of expression in this our ‘democratic’ Country. This is unacceptable. This is a free Country. it is not a crime to express your yourself peacefully. The IG is assuming too much power thinking that with the gun he can suppress people. He must remember that when people get angry nothing can stop them
Tizakachita honk,ngolefwaya ukachite ifyo ulefwaya!
You think you are God?
Wena, kabonde – whatever your name is – have you read the Constitution, mf? guys like you belong to Leopards hill. gert out of our lives, damn you! You make me sick!!! Who the f..are you to stop me from honking for a just cause. Who the heck are you, you mf, Chilubarite, Rupiarite/ You make my country STINK with your shit.
At #23, the last word shoud read “sheet”. Let’s see how it comes out.
These *****s really stink, you know. I mean, they’re full of bullcrap.
At #25(Its done)
Tizakachita honk,ngolefwaya ukachite ifyo ulefwaya!
You think you are Sheet?
Ah!! Ba Francis.You mean even when Chipoloplo boys scores a goal,we should not honk???Celebrate????? Educate me mwee!!!