President Edgar Lungu has signed statutory instrument number 55 of 2017, which provides guidance to the Zambian Police Service and other defence and security agencies during the period of the threatened public emergency.

Acting Home Affairs Minister Given Lubinda, announced this today, saying this was pursuant to proclamation under article 31 of the Constitution and in accordance with sections 3,4 and 5 of the preservation of public security act charpter 112 of the laws of Zambia.”

The Minister stated that the regulations were in two parts namely;

1. Those which can be implemented directly under the regulations and ,

2. The regulations that would require the President to issue specific orders to be implemented.

“With the publication of the Regulations, the following measures among others are now in force and have given extra powers to the police to enable them preserve public security and investigate cases affecting public security in a more conclusive manner.”

” a) Stop and search vehicles without a warrant.
b)Withdraw Travel documents and
c) Power to detain suspects for a period exceeding 48hrs which can be done only with the Authority of the Magistrate.”

He stated that the Maximum detention period was seven days if the police saticified the magistrate that the detention was necessary.

He stated that any other period beyond seven days would only be done by the order of the President.

He also said that the regulations had also extended the powers of the police to the defence forces and other national security services when acting in aid of the police.

“These regulations are not meant to interfere with freedom and liabilities of Law abiding citizens but will only be applied to citizens who are found breaking the law. The General public is free to go about their normal business as there is no curfew nor restrictions in movements,” he emphasised.

He stated that regarding the regulations that would require the President to issue specific orders to be implemented, the President would only Invoke them under compelling circumstances.

” These regulations are-:

A) Prohibit certain activities at dwelling places and in Public places.
B)Close premises
C)Impose Curfews
D)Blackouts
E)Controlling of Electricity
F)Restriction Orders
G)Direct Persons to proceed to and remain in any part of Zambia and ,
H)Detain Specific Persons.”

“His Excellency The President has not issued any specific order in this regard. Security agencies therefore, will not implement any of these regulations,” Lubinda said.

He stated that the regulations also provided for procedures for any person who was aggrieved in addition to the existing procedures in the courts of law.

“I urge members of the public to continue with their normal lives and support the security agencies in the preservation of public security,” he said.

The Minister encouraged members of the public to take interest to read the regulations to avoid being misled.

“These regulations can be obtained by the public from the Government Printers at K40 per copy,” said Lubinda.