By Merlyn Mwanza
Republican President Hakainde Hichilema says he will not allow men in uniform to commit crime in the uniform’s name.
And President Hichilema said to say there will be no crime in this country when we are fighting crime is absurdity.
Addressing the press earlier in the day, the President also said it was good the gold scam has been exposed but wondered who did the facilitation of another plane and where they came from, arguing that this could have been happening sometime back where planes flew in and transacted and then flew out in that unscrupulous manner.
President Hichilema urged the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) and other agencies to move speedily in future so that the nation is not “entertained to excessive emotional drama” which he said takes away time and energy from useful applications to negative stuff.
“Crimes will always take place where there are human beings, remember that’s why the laws are created. It’s to address the transgressions of human beings,” President Hichilema said. “So to say there will be no crime in this country when we are fighting crime is an absurdity. There will be crime in this country. The question is how do you address the crime when it’s located. That’s the question.”
President Hichilema said when crime happened systems triggered in and arrests were made.
He said when arrests take place there is no recognition of the colour of the person and nationality and language they speak and who they are friendly to and where they work.
President Hichilema said when crime happens focus must be on the crime and not other things, saying sometimes lies are juicy.
He said Zambia is open for business but this must not be confused with invitation that there is safe haven for criminals locally and internationally.
President Hichilema urged those in the opposition to join the fight against corruption and crime, saying corruption became embedded and even those in the new government will be admiring those they saw flaunting money but that’s not the culture to promote in this country.
He urged his colleagues not to tire in doing what is right for the Zambian people.
“In fighting crime we should not committ crime,” President Hichilema said.
He warned those who fail to live up to his pronouncements that if they are compromised they will be removed.
President Hichilema said those who work in law enforcement institutions and they feel they are tired should resign.
But asked what he would do to ensure the whistle blowers are protected, the President said he had trust in the leadership of DEC as changes were made to enhance trust and to assess whether “this is a whistle blower or not.”
He said the people pointing a finger at others could be the ones involved.
President Hichilema urged people not to commit crime if they do not want to be followed by the law.
He warned that he would not allow men in uniform to commit crime.
