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By Lumbiwe Mwanza
LAW enforcement agencies in the country should begin to effectively adopt other forms of crowd control whenever there is a misunderstanding or conflict involving ordinary citizens, the Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) has said.
Speaking to The Scoop following the death of a 15-year-old boy of Kankoyo Township in Mufulira on the Copperbelt who was allegedly shot dead during an anti-mealie meal smuggling operation by the Zambia National Service after a stray bullet hit him, SACCORD Executive Director Boniface Chembe said that law enforcement agencies should learn to assess the type of conflict and crowd that they were dealing with before using any form of crowd control.
Mr. Chembe said that law enforcement agencies needed capacity building to protect ordinary citizens as they ensured public order.
“When it comes to maintenance of public order, it is important that law enforcement agencies carefully assess the situation before using live ammunition. In cases of conflict or misunderstanding, it is important that other forms of crowd control are used such as water cannons among others but ensure that as much as possible, the use of live ammunition should be avoided. Capacity should also be built,” Mr. Chembe said.
He emphasized on the need to promote and maintain peace, security, and order in the country.
Meanwhile, Human Rights Advocate Brebner Changala has charged that it was not inspiring that law enforcement agencies in the country continued showing unprofessional traits.
He said it was sad that law enforcement agencies had continued making unpopular decisions mostly at the expense of citizens.
He said that going forward, the Zambia police especially, should be seen to improve on the way it handled ordinary citizens and not use excessive punishment which thereafter violates human rights in the country.
He said upholding human rights in the country was very critical as it helped in creating a favourable environment for productivity.
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