Kakoma Kanganja cautions party cadres over military regalia

Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja has cautioned political party cadres or any other person to desist from wearing military regalia to avoid being arrested and prosecuted.

Mr. Kanganja says he has observed a reoccurring trend where some political party cadres have yet again begun wearing outfit similar to those of the military personnel, especially during their respective party activities.

Mr. Kanganja tells QTV News in a statement that all Commissioners of Police through their Officers Commanding Districts and Officers in Charge of Stations in all Provinces should ensure that this trend is brought to a halt without any delay.

He has reiterated his earlier sentiments that party cadres or any person other than the military personnel are not allowed to wear military uniform or anything that resembles the military uniform as doing so is a criminal offence.

The Police Chief explains that according to the State Security Act CAP 111 Section 6 (1)(a) of the Laws of Zambia, any person without lawful authority who uses or has in his possession, imports or manufactures any uniform of the Defence Force or the Police Service or any other official uniform of the Republic or any dress closely resembling the same as likely to deceive or falsely represent himself to be a person who has been entitled to wear any such uniform, shall be guilty of an offence and liable of conviction to imprisonment for a minimum term of fifteen (15) years.

He says there are pictures of some political party supporters clad in military regalia which are circulating on social media and that he has directed officers to investigate and bring those involved to book.

He states that political party leaders at all levels should take a lead in educating their cadres and advise them to desist from engaging in behavior that is contrary to what the Law provide for.

Mr. Kanganja has since advised political parties to conduct their activities within what the Law provides for and anything short of it will come with serious consequences. QFM