President Hichilema Urged To dismiss From Service Soldiers Who Attacked Civilians In Mufulira
Written by Mafken FM Newsroom on 8 October 2024
By Staff Reporter
The opposition Patriots for Economic Progress (PeP) has called on President Hakainde Hichilema, in his capacity as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, to dismiss from service the soldiers who were involved in the merciless beating of civilians in Mufulira district.
PeP leader Sean Tembo notes that both Government and the Zambia Army Commander appear to create an impression that the soldiers acted out of their own volition and without the authorization of any senior Army Officer.
But Mr. Tembo is of the view that if indeed these soldiers left the Barracks to conduct an operation in the CBD without the authorization of the Camp Command, then the country has a serious national security risk due to such high levels of indiscipline in the defence forces.
The opposition leader tells Mafken News that any group of individuals can wear military fatigues and carry firearms, but what distinguishes a professional army from a militia is discipline and respect for human rights.
He adds that if President Hichilema fails to take action against the criminality that was perpetrated by the soldiers at Taung Up Barracks last Saturday, then he will be sending a message to the nation that it is okay to have an undisciplined defence force that occasionally operates above the law.
