By ISAAC MUKANDO –
THE Zambia Prisons Service has urged its officers to play the role of peace makers as the nation approaches the forthcoming presidential by elections slated for the 20th of this month.

. Chato

Commissioner of Prisons Percy Chato said officers needed to exercise their duties by ensuring that there was no violent behaviour by cadres from various political parties during the campaigns and on the actual day of casting votes.
Mr Chato said in Kitwe when he addressed staff members at Kamfinsa prisons  that officers need to desist from engaging themselves in partisan politics as they were not allowed to do so.
Officers had an obligation to remain loyal to the Government of the day and take up the role of ensuring there was peace in the country.
Mr Chato said officers that wanted to engage themselves in politics should resign and join politics “If you want to engage yourself in politics, you should write to us that you wish to resign to join politics and we will not stop you from leaving the service,” he said.
It was the duty of officers to maintain peace, security and confidentiality of the nation.
He further warned officers against posting on social media whilst on duty especially when escorting the president, ministers or any other prominent persons.
Officers who kept posting their whereabouts on the social media were jeopardising the security of the person they where escorting.
“I wish to warn you to avoid the temptations and use of the social media when on duty. “Most officers like posting on facebook, whatsapp and twitter when they are on duty escorting prominent people such as ministers but I wish to remind you that so doing was putting in danger the persons being escorted,” he said.
Mr Chato said officers could access the social media concerning their social life and not duty issues.