Phiri Believed Suspended - But Police Do Not Confirm

Reliable government sources have revealed that Lusaka Police Commissioner Nelson Phiri has been suspended, however police officials have yet to confirm the story. Phiri oversaw last week’s disastrous police operation to bring UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema in for questioning, which resulted in the deaths of two UPND supporters. 

Police spokesperson Esther Mwaata Katongo says she can neither confirm nor deny Phiri’s suspension, referring all queries to Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo and Inspector General Kakoma Kanganja. 

Attempts to reach Kanganja, Katongo and Phiri himself have so far proved unsuccessful. 

UPND Presidential Spokesperson Anthony Bwalya has accused the Patriotic Front government of scapegoating Phiri after fostering a culture which allowed the indiscriminate killing of civilians by the police.

“As a matter of leadership, the responsibility for the lack of professionalism in the conduct of a few elements within the police, epitomized by the numerous reckless taking of innocent lives on several occasions, firmly rests with President Lungu as the appointing authority for both the Minister for Home Affairs – Mr. Stephen Kampyongo, as well as that of the Inspector General of Police – Mr. Kakoma Kanganja,” Bwalya said. 

The UPND spokesman labelled the suspension of Mr Phiri ‘a cover-up’ to distract from the roles played by President Lungu and Stephen Kampyongo in perpetuating state-sponsored violence. 

“The suspension of Mr. Nelson Phiri is also another indication, and thus a warning, to all police officers who will fall into the trap of taking and carrying out illegal orders of and by an unconscionable PF regime, that professional men and women in uniform will be sacrificed by a regime intent on breaking the law by issuing illegal orders aimed at beating down the spirit of democracy in our country.”

Last Wednesday police opened fire on a crowd of UPND supporters in Lusaka, killing two people: state prosecutor Nsama Nsama and a UPND youth called Joseph Kuanda. 

Confusion broke out as police tried to disperse a crowd which had gathered near the Ministry of Justice to support UPND president Hakainde Hichilema as he was called in for police questioning. Officers are reported to have fired tear gas and live ammunition at civilians.