By Levy Lilanga

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu says Government is committed to providing efficient service delivery in the fight against crime by equipping the Zambia Police with modernised equipment.

The President said this on Thursday in a speech read for him by Home Affairs Minister Davies Mwila during the launch of the first ever high-tech deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) machine at Police Headquarters.

He said K2.4 million machine will assist to resolve criminal cases faster and more conclusively adding that it will also help to resolve paternity disputes within a shortest period of time. The machine was bought from France and it is the first of its kind in Africa.

“This equipment, which was procured at a cost of K2.4 million, is in line with my Government’s vision and commitment to equip all government investigative wings with new tools to enable them deal with new crime trends in this 21^st century,” he said.

The President said the machine will ensure law enforcement officers to expeditiously dispose off cases in the courts of law when in need of DNA.

He observed that some cases were being discontinued and perpetrators of violent crimes discharged hence acquisition of the machine.

“I recall vividly when I was practising law and later when I became Minister of Home Affairs how police investigators were being overwhelmed with many cases pending in courts due to waiting for DNA results from abroad,” he said.

Mr Lungu urged Inspector General of Police, Ms Stella Libongani to utilise the machine properly to ensure that timely analysis of samples and placement of samples into the DNA data base of all cases analysed and results posted.

He said only qualified officers needed access to the machine in order for it not to be abused.

And President Lungu said Government has engaged ZAMCHIN Construction Company Limited to construct a national forensic laboratory in Lusaka West at a cost of K115 million within 36 months in order to decongest Zambia Police Headquarters.

He reiterated his continued support to the Zambia Police and assured that he will not interfere in its operations adding that his administration is committed to modernising operations of the police for the benefit of the public.

Speaking earlier, Inspector General of Police, Ms Stella Libongani thanked Government for its support towards the modernisation to the Zambia Police.

Ms Libongani said Zambia Police has a fully- fledged forensic laboratory consisting of pathology, ballistics photography and scenes of crime, cyber- crime and questioned documents.

“The missing and vital link was the DNA machine under the biology/chemistry unit. Because of this, a lot of money was spent in transmitting samples to South Africa for analysis. This caused delays in criminal justice system,” she said.

And Morpho Safran managing director Paul Jeremia, the suppliers of the machine said his company is proud to partner with the Zambia Police in enhancing modernised equipment in a quest to fighting crime.

He said Zambia Police is the first on the African continent to acquire the high-tech machine which is ground-breaking measure as it is able to produce results quickly.