By Isaac Zulu
Inspector General of Police Lemmy Kajoba has said that FDD leader Edith Nawakwi is playing politics and he is not going to respond to assertions being made by politicians because his job is to maintain law and order.
Nawakwi charged that President Hakainde Hakainde is a very vindictive man who has fired over 35 police officers and unconstitutionally removed them from the payroll before receiving their dues in order to also punish their children, says FDD leader Edith Nawakwi.
She also said there is selective dismissals based on tribal lines in the police service, saying the two officers that were sent to look for the Hatembo’s, one of them with the name from Eastern Province, Phiri, has been fired while the one with the name that starts with “Haa” from Southern Province has been maintained, wondering what criteria was used to arrive at the same.
Responding to Nawakwi’s assertions, Kajoba said that he will stick to his role of maintaining law and order; as opposed to engaging in some discourse with politicians.
“Madam Edith Nawakwi is just politicking. Me I am a police officer who is an Inspector General of Police and my responsibility is to maintain law and order. Therefore, I will not engage in some discussions with politicians,” Kajoba said.
He said the assertions made by Nawakwi were not targeted at him but a different institution; and as such he would not respond “on behalf of other people.”
But reminded that the Zambia Police falls under his jurisdiction and he should be able to give his office’s position on the matter, Kajoba maintained that he would not speak on behalf of other people.
“Much as I am in charge of the Zambia Police, I feel that her claims and allegations are not targeted at me. They are targeted at a different institution and different people. If that was targeted at me, I would have responded with authority. For now I cannot speak on behalf of other people. Have a pleasant and crime free New Year celebration,” said Kajoba.
