The Zambia Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo
has banned police officers from arresting and charging K 750 fines to members of the public for not wearing masks.
And Kampyongo said Police officers should only warn and sensitize violators of the SI 21 and 22to prevent the spread of the pandemic.
Speaking at a joint press briefing with his Health counterpart Dr. Chitalu Chilufya, Kampyongo warned that it is not the role of the police to charge and collect monies from people who don’t wear masks.
“No police officer will be tolerated for collecting money as admission of guilty for people not masking up. It’s not your duty and it’s not your role,” Kampyongo said.
“Regrettably, we have had some officers who have taken it upon themselves to collect Admission of guilty fees from members of public. And I want to make a clarion call to all our commanding structures that this matter must be dealt with immediately.”
Kampyongo directed all the police commanders in the 10 divisions to monitor the implementation of the presidential directive and enforcement of SI 22 and ensure that the enforcement is carried out with the framework of the law.
“Officers are hereby restrained from arresting and charging fines to members of the public not wearing masks but instead, they should be able to warn and sensitize the violators from spreading the disease,” he said.
And Kampyongo said officers can only effect an arrest only when they feel it is necessary to do so and that such arrests must be taken to court.