STATEMENT ON THE ABUSE OF TRAFFIC CHECK POINTS, PATROLS AND ROAD BLOCKS BY THE ZAMBIA POLICE SERVICE OFFICERS BY HON. STEPHEN KAMPYONGO, MP MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS

2^ND NOVEMBER, 2018

Good afternoon member of the Press, Ladies and Gentlemen.

The Ministry of Home Affair has for some time now been receiving numerous complaints from members of the public regarding the conduct of some traffic officers in the Zambia Police Service. As Minister responsible for internal security and law enforcement, I am extremely concerned with the deterioration in levels of discipline in some officers of Zambia Police Service in general and in the Traffic Section, in particular.

While Traffic Check Points, Patrols and Road Blocks are essential tools of law enforcement, it is evident that some traffic officers in the Zambia Police Service are abusing them. This state of affairs cannot be condoned nor allowed to continue. It has therefore become necessary to re-asses the operations of these traffic Check Points Patrols and Road Blocks.

This Press Briefing has, therefore, been called to inform the nation on measures being taken by Government to address these concerns.

To this effect my Ministry has put in place following measures:

1. The Police Command has with immediate effect been directed to plan and execute regular rotation and transfer of officers from General Duties to Traffic and vice versa; and divisions respectively. Rotation of officers in the full spectrum of the Police Service is essential to avoid officers overstaying in a particular Section or Division and consequently becoming over-famillar with some duties and indeed members of the public.
2. With immediate effect mounting of hand held speed trap cameras by static Speed Surveillance Cameras has been abolished;
3. The Police Command must work round the clock in consultation with the Ministry of Finance to ensure the full migration to electronic and Direct Payment System for the payment of Fines and Fees. This is critical to minimizing and eventually eliminating all cash payments through officers;
4. The Police Command is hereby directed to strictly enforce the stiff penalties for any Unethical Conduct and any breach of the law on the part of erring officers in accordance with the laid down regulations. My Ministry will not relent in fighting Corruption, Bribery and Extortion of money from members of the public. This applies to all Security Institutions under my Ministry;
5. Oversight Integrity Committees should be rolled out to all Formation under the Zambia Police Service and other Security Institutions under the Ministry;
6. The Police Command should ensure that Supervising Officers, who fail to discipline erring officers under their charge, within a reasonable period, should themselves be charged.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the measures outlined above come into effect immediately, except for those that require further administrative arrangement and/or consultations prior to being affected. Security personnel under the ministry are hence-forth expected to demonstrate the highest possible levels of integrity in the execution of their duties and indeed in their daily lives, including when they are off duty.

Let me also take this opportunity to warn members of the public to desist from engaging in corrupt activities as the relevant provisions of the law will be applied on them.

Ladies and Gentlemen, we look forward to working together and ensure that the measures outlined above are adhered to by our officers in the rank and file of our Security Institutions and in the Zambia Police Service in particular.

Thank you for your attention, May God Bless Us All and our Beautiful Country, Zambia.

ul Country, Zambia.

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