The Zambia Police Service has charged the traffic officer who was involved in an altercation with a motorist in a video that went viral on social media with the offence of common assault.

Police Spokesperson Esther Katongo disclosed this in a statement, adding that administrative action had been instituted in the matter, following Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja’s recommendation to have the officer dismissed from the service.

Katongo further advised police officers to always be professional and exercise restraint while discharging their duties.

“The traffic police officer that was involved in the altercation with a motorist in a video that has gone viral has been charged with the offence of common assault contrary section 247 of the laws of Zambia. Brief facts are that, when the victim, Devidas Rupnar, aged 40, reached the junction of Lusaka’s Kalambo Road and Freedom Way at about 14:00 hours yesterday, 12th November, 2018, he was approached by a traffic police officer identified as Constable Brian Nkhoma who ordered him to accompany him to the police. The officer is reported to have been infuriated and subsequently harassed the victim when he was requested to record his particulars so that he could report later as he was rushing to the office. The victim reported the matter to police and a statement was recorded. The officer is currently detained in police custody,” stated Katongo.

“Further, administrative action has been instituted in the matter in line with the recommendation by the Inspector General of Police to have the officer dismissed. Police officers are, therefore, reminded to always be professional and exercise restraint as they discharge their duties. Meanwhile, we wish to inform members of the public that there are fake Facebook accounts that have been opened using particulars and pictures of the Inspector General of Police, Mr Kakoma Kanganja. Initial investigations have revealed that the accounts were opened from Nigeria. We, therefore, advise members of the public to avoid falling prey to these criminals who would want to defraud them using these fake accounts. Communication has been made to Facebook to have the accounts pulled down.”