The Alliance for Community Action has written to Lusaka Police Commissioner Nelson Phiri informing him that they wish to protest against the controversial fire tenders.

In a letter today, ACA executive director Laura Miti notified Phiri that the protest against mismanagement of public resources would be held on Friday, September 29, when Finance Minister Felix Mutati is expected to present the national budget.

“The Alliance for Community Action (ACA) is a Non Governmental Organisation whose main purpose is to advocate for the prudent and accountable use of public resources in Zambia. In particular, the ACA aims to work with other civil society organizations and speak up about public resource management as it is linked to service delivery. In line with our objective and in line with the Public Order Act 113 of the Laws of Zambia, the ACA wishes to notify your office of our intention to hold a peaceful procession and demonstration at the Parliament of Zambia. We notify your office because we have been sent from Lusaka Central Police to Chelston police with all these stations saying notification should not come to them. We are hoping that your office will receive the notification,” Miti wrote.

“The purpose of this peaceful demonstration is to raise citizen concern on the procedure and cost of the 42 fire trucks recently bought by the Ministry of Local Government and Housing and public resource mismanagement generally. In accordance with the law, we wish to hold this demonstration on Friday, 29th September from14:00 hours to 16:00 hours. This is the day the national budget will be presented by the Minister of Finance and we feel it is an appropriate day to raise our concern on public resource management in the country.”

She assured Phiri that the peaceful protest would not disrupt proceedings of the House.

“The procession will take the form of members of civil society and ordinary citizens peacefully holding placards on the side of the road leading up to Parliament. We would like to assure you that the members of parliament proceeding to the House will not in any way be disturbed. We look forward to the police service facilitating this Constitutional citizen right and duty to raise their concerns to those that govern the country,” wrote Miti.