ROGERS KALERO writes
THE Kitwe city council management is strictly monitoring the operations of council police officers following reports that some of them are conniving with some bars and night clubs owners to operate illegally.
Recently, an undercover The Sun journalist discovered that some bars and lodges were allowing patrons in the premises and selling alcoholic beverages secretly and in connivance with some council police officers.
Some workers in bar dens told the journalist that they charged a modest fee on entry, which at the end of the day was shared among council police officers, who provided “cover” while on patrol.
But Town Clerk, Mbulo Seke, said management had tasked the Director of Administration to establish which officers were conniving with some bars and night club owners to operate secretly.
The council, he said, was thus strictly monitoring the operations of its police officers and that once caught, culprits would be dealt with severely.
Mr Seke said the council was pursuing the matter and that any officer found to be involved would be dealt with accordingly.
He said council police officers were expected to implement laws and directives given to them, but if they decide to connive with law breakers, they deserved to be punished.
“We don’t want to demonize or condemn our officers, but we want to investigate and establish which officers are conniving with bar and night clubs owners to operate secretly.
“For those who will be found to be involved in the vice, then they shall be dealt with accordingly because council police officers are expected to implement the law and not otherwise. So this is the action we have taken,” Mr Seke said.
Mr Seke said few individuals were denting the image of the local authority because of their conduct and it was important that such people were brought to book.
“Because of the misconduct few individuals, the image of the council has been dented and it is important that every responsible council employee works towards rebuilding the image of the council to gain and hold the confidence of the people.
“A local authority which works on dilapidated infrastructure like roads, buildings and improves garbage collection will be the darling of the people, but the council which connives with people to engage in illegal activities will lose the confidence of the people,” he said.
