
CHIEF Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha says those calling for the resignation or dismissal of Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde are wasting their time.
Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that Mr Kabonde is a professional who has been in the police service for many years and knows what his job entails.
Lt. Gen Shikapwasha, who is Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, said Mr Kabonde has contributed greatly to the country.
He said the inspector general worked under him when he was Minister of Home Affairs and served the country diligently, just as he is doing now.
UPND women last Friday staged a protest and marched to the Zambia Police Service headquarters where they presented a petition to Mr Kabonde, which was received by police spokesperson Bonny Kapeso.
The women complained, among other things, that Mr Kabonde failed to prevent violence in Mufumbwe during the by-election and that he was biased towards the MMD.
“Mr Kabonde is a seasoned policeman who does not arrest people on political grounds. He arrests anyone who causes trouble regardless of their political affiliation,” Lt. Gen Shikapwasha said.
He said the UPND must not complain about the violence that took place during the by-election but should instead blame its leaders who took the ‘Mapatizya formula’ to Mufumbwe.
[pullquote]“Mr Kabonde is a seasoned policeman who does not arrest people on political grounds. He arrests anyone who causes trouble regardless of their political affiliation,” Lt. Gen Shikapwasha said.[/pullquote]
And Committee of Citizens executive director Gregory Cifire said it is sad that some people want to incite the appointing authority into firing a professional whose contribution to the country cannot be doubted.
Mr Cifire said such calls are misplaced because the inspector general acts independently.
He said the best would be to wait for investigations into the violence instead of blaming Mr Kabonde.
Leadership in Development executive director Moses Kalonde said President Banda should not be moved by calls to fire Mr Kabonde.
Mr Kalonde said in a statement yesterday that calls for Mr Kabonde to resign or be fired by the President are nothing but a calculated move to paralyse the Rupiah Banda-led administration.
He said civil society organisations such as Southern African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Disputes and the opposition UPND are allegedly championing this to make it seem as though Mr Kabonde is incompetent.
“Mr Kabonde must be given a chance, especially that there is a new Minister of Home Affairs, so that he can prove his capabilities,” he said.
He said the President has the prerogative of working with people whom he wishes to.