INSPECTOR General of Police Remmy Kajoba says police have compiled a docket against Chishimba Kambwili over tribal remarks issued during campaigns.

And Kajoba has instructed the police command to enhance patrols to curb the increasing crime rate in Lusaka.

In a statement, Wednesday, Kajoba disclosed that the police were only awaiting instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions before the matter involving Kambwili could be prosecuted.

“Police opened an inquiry file regarding the alleged tribal remarks which occurred on 30th September, 2021 around 16:00hrs at Kaumbwe school grounds in Petauke district purported to have been issued by Dr Chishimba Kambwili during the Kaumbwe parliamentary by-election campaigns. Police conducted investigations and compiled a docket of case which has since been forwarded to the director of public prosecutions (DPP) as the alleged offence requires consent to prosecute from the DPP’s office. Instructions are still being awaited from the office of the DPP,” he stated.

Among other cases, Kajoba said former district commissioner for Mitete district had been charged with three counts of unlawful wounding which occurred on June 29, 2015 in Sichili area of Mulobezi district.

“I further wish to inform the nation that police have charged and arrested male Kaumba Manjolo aged 50 years of Lukulu town centre, who is former district commissioner (DC) for Mitete district for three counts of unlawful wounding which occurred on 29th June, 2015 in Sichili area of Mulobezi district. This occurred during the Mulobezi parliamentary by-election. It is alleged that on the material day, the accused person shot at three persons who in the process sustained gunshot wounds. The suspect will appear in court soon,” he said.

Kajoba stated that investigations into the death of NDC member Obed Kasongo were re-instituted and it was discovered that he died as a result of a medical condition and not the injuries he sustained.

“I wish to inform the nation that we had re-instituted investigations regarding the circumstances surrounding the death of the deceased male Obed Kasongo, who was then NDC youth chairperson for Lusaka province. The post-mortem report indicates that the cause of death was as a result of a medical condition the deceased was suffering from and not as a result of the assault injuries the victim sustained. However, police managed to charge and arrest hon Bowman Lusambo for one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and another count of unlawful wounding and has since appeared before the Luanshya magistrate court. This incident occurred during the Roan parliamentary by-elections which took place on 11th April, 2019,” he stated.

And Kajoba directed all provincial commanders to enhance foot and motorised patrols to curb the increasing crime rate in the country.

“From the foregoing, I am directing all provincial commanders to enhance foot and motorised patrols in their areas of jurisdictions to curb these emerging vices. You may wish to know that I have in particular tasked the paramilitary and traffic officers to intensify patrols in Lusaka’s crime prone areas such as the central business district (CBD) and other high density areas so as to curb crime in the affected areas. My command is also aware that some social gathering places such as night clubs have become fertile grounds for illicit criminal planning activities. As such, all commanders are directed to ensure that police detectives are deployed to infiltrate such social gathering places so as to detect crime and arrest all those found wanting. This will deter suspected criminals from harassing innocent citizens,” he stated.

Kajoba further urged members of the public to remain calm and ensure that they availed any information that would lead to the apprehension and prosecution of culprits.

“The Zambia police service would like to assure the general public that we will use all legal means at our disposal to bring to book all those that have committed crimes. My appeal to members of the public is to avail any information that may lead to the successful apprehension and prosecution of all criminal elements in society. In the same vein, we would like to appeal to the general public to remain calm as police are investigating various forms of crimes reported to the police. We are determined to revisit all cases reported to the police in the recent past but not logically concluded,” stated Kajoba.

“As we do this, we shall apply the law firmly and fairly to all regardless of the status in society or political affiliation because our main focus will be on the crime that has been committed. My office remains committed to upholding the rule of law throughout our republic of Zambia.”