Police Commend Peaceful Presidential Inauguration

The Zambia Police Service has confirmed that the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony held yesterday at the National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka passed off peacefully, with no major security incidents recorded.

Police Public Relations Officer Godfrey Chilabi said the Service did not record any crime-related incidents at the venue. He noted that road traffic operations also proceeded smoothly, with no accidents reported, thanks to effective security and traffic management plans coordinated among the Defence and Security Wings.

Mr Chilabi expressed gratitude to members of the public for their cooperation, and to motorists for their patience during the temporary road closures and diversions that facilitated the movement of the Presidential motorcade, dignitaries and official processions. Traffic flow along the Great North Road and Lumumba Road returned to normal at around 18:00 hours.

He did, however, disclose one incident in which a motorist disobeyed a lawful instruction to stop during the movement of the Presidential motorcade at the Chilimbulu–Mosi-oa-Tunya T-junction. The driver sped off, and police have since instituted investigations into the matter.

Overall, the Service described the day's operations as a success, crediting careful planning and close coordination between security agencies for the smooth and incident-free conduct of the ceremony.

The Police Service once again commended the public and motorists for their cooperation, patience and compliance with security measures before, during and after the inauguration, and reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding public order at national events of this magnitude.