By Chipo Kaitisha

True to the saying that goes “death can never be gotten used to”, the death of North Western Province Police Commissioner Grace Chipalila came as a shock to all people she associated with and the nation at large.

Hundreds of mourners led by the Republican President, Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu recently gathered in Lusaka to pay their last respect to the departed gallant officer.

Speaking at the requiem mass held at Mary Emmaculate Catholic Church along Leopards Hill Road, President Lungu said that the demise of Ms Chipalila was sudden and shocking describing it as a blow to the Government considering that its policy was aimed at increasing the number of Women in decision making positions.EL

“On behalf of the Ministry of Home Affairs and indeed on my own behalf, I wish to extend our most heartfelt condolences to her beloved family, friends, colleagues and the Police service where she served with distinction. This explains why she rose to the position of Commissioner of Police”, said President Lungu.


He described Commissioner Chipalila as a dedicated senior Police Officer who was committed to serving the nation and urged other female police officers to emulate her and excel to higher heights.

President Lungu appealed to the Inspector General of Police, Ms Stellah Libongani to ensure that her benefits were expeditiously processed to enable the family get what was due to them.

“As Government, we will do everything within our power to lessen the strain on the bereaved family. In the same vein, let me appeal to the family members to be patient as we process the benefits due to them,” he said.

In giving spiritual guidance to the bereaved family, the President quoted Isaiah Chapter 41 verse 10 from the bible which states “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”.

He encouraged them to look to God as he would come through for them.

And according to the citation read by Inspector General of Police Ms Stellah Libogani at Leopards Hill Memorial Park Cemetery, the late No. 1139 Ms. Grace Chipalila was born on 23rd June, 1963 in Chinsali District, Muchinga Province in the Republic of Zambia.

She did her Primary School education in Ndola before moving to complete her primary School education at Chiewani Primary School in Kasama.

The late Chipalila then went to Mporokoso Secondary School in Northern Province where she completed her form five. Because of her desire to serve the nation, the late Commissioner of Police joined the Zambia Police Service on 30th September, 1983 as a direct entrant Sub Inspector at Lilayi Police Training College.


Upon completion of her initial training course, Ms Chipalila was posted to Central Division where she was deployed to Kabwe Central Police Station under General Duties.

Due to her dedication to duty, Ms Chipalila rose through the ranks of the Zambia Police Service and held various positions from different Divisions.

On 1st April, 2005, the late officer was promoted to the rank of Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police and was appointed Commanding Officer for Central Division.

She was later transferred to Police Service Headquarters under Operations Unit where she served until her appointment as Commissioner of Police to be in charge of Eastern Province on 25th October, 2011 by his Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia.

On 10th February, 2015, the late Officer was transferred to North Western Province in the same capacity as Provincial Commissioner of Police, the position she held until her untimely death on Saturday 14th November, 2015 at the University of Zambia after an illness.

She is survived by two children and one grandchild.

“On behalf of the Zambia Police Service and indeed on my own behalf, I wish to convey our deepest condolences to the bereaved family,” said Ms. Libongani.

GP

Among the mourners were several senior government officials, who included Home Affairs Minister Davies Mwila, North Western Minister Dawson Lufwayo, North Western Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga and Police and Prisons Service Commission Chairperson, Mr. Peter Chingaipe.

Others are former Inspector Generals of Police, Mr. Ephraim Mateyo and Mr. Zunga Siakalima and senior officers from Defence and Security wings.

May Her Soul Rest In Eternal Peace.

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