By NAKUBIANA MUMBUNA –

HOME Affairs Minister Ngosa Simbyakula has applauded the Zambia Police Service for maintaining law and order in the country last year.

Speaking at the Zambia Police Service annual ball in Lusaka, the minister said the Government was impressed with the manner in which the service enforced the law despite facing a number of challenges.

“The Government is pleased with the manner in which the Zambia Police Service handled a number of issues last year. We, therefore, urge you to continue with the good works,” he said.

The minister urged the police to continue maintaining law and order this year.

Dr Simbyakula also called for discipline among police officers to change the perception that the public had towards the service.

He warned the men and women in uniform to stay away from partisan politics, saying that those that wished to do so should resign.

Dr Simbyakula also assured the police of continued Government support, adding that the Government would continue with construction of housing units for police officers.

Inspector General (IG) of Police Stella Libongani said the service managed to reduce crime by 21 per cent last year although she said a lot more needed to be done.

Ms Libongani said the service would continue to fight crime in accordance with its mandate.

She, however, said the service was concerned with rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) where a total of 10,217 cases were registered by the third quarter of last year.

Ms Libongani added that the Police Service was also concerned about high levels of road accidents in the country.

She also pledged to fight corruption in the service, saying that those that would find themselves on the other side of the law would be dealt with firmly.