Traffic Police To Get Back On The Streets

Police Inspector-General Kakoma Kanganja has directed traffic officers to resume foot and motorised patrols to help uphold safety measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

The inspector-general has instructed his officers to enforce the mandatory wearing of masks on public transport, in line with Statutory Instruments 21 and 22 of 2020. Any vehicle found transporting passengers without face masks will be impounded until all occupants mask up.

For the time-being, however, officers will not be enforcing laws relating to road tax and road service licenses. 

Mr Kanganja also urged his officers to follow the measures themselves and ensure they are fully protected against Covid-19.

He has appealed to all road users to cooperate with law enforcement officers and the regulations regarding Covid-19. 

The announcement comes after widespread reports that police officers have been overzealous and frequently brutal in their enforcement of Covid-19 restrictions.

A report by Amnesty International said that Zambian police are beating people up “indiscriminately”. Police spokesperson Esther Katongo announced earlier this month that “we hammer you, we hit you, then we do detention. If you escape, you are lucky”.