THROWBACK: WHEN ZAMBIA POLICE APPLIES MINIMUM FORCE TO ARREST AN UNARMED CITIZEN

Today, I have opted to go down the annals of history and share a couple of images from the aftermath of the 2006 general elections in Zambia, depicting the arrest of protestors who took to the streets demonstrating against that election’s outcome. I love photography and photojournalism in particular because it brings out the evidence, motions and emotions that are attached to the matters that affect our daily lives. Photography speaks across language, gender, culture and all other barriers. Therefore, we must embrace and use photography to discuss matters of public concern in our communities. We must use photography to promote transparency and accountability and hold all our leaders (public, private church etc) to account. I am quiet passionate about the photographs here because they show a direct correlation between citizen rights to assembly etc (even to protest) versus police brutality (violation of citizen rights). I remember former Inspector General of Police Ephraim Mateyo (now North Western Province Permanent Secretary) would quip to his contables and sergeants that they are allowed to use minimum force to arrest any suspect or citizens who are not co-operative. For me, Mr Mateyo, together with many other police officers in the service, remains a very good policeman and his statement was often misinterpreted. How do we measure minimum force? Going by these images, can we see the minimum force or perhaps maximum force? Perhaps we are just seeing police brutality. The reality out there is that many men and women in police uniform have deliberately abandoned the ethical and professional standards of policing, while thousands of citizens have continued to suffer the abuse and wanton disregard for the law and people’s human rights. In some communities, the police are loathed with glee because of the unprofessionalism. Many citizens in Zambia view the police as an instrument of brutality, not an avenue through which people must feel secure and both private and public property safeguarded. Look at the lens through which many traffic police officers are viewed, as the most corrupt section of service. Some officers are perpetrators of gender based violence, other are good examples bad drinking habits. Many citizens bolt and other are traumatized upon seeing the police uniform since they view the police regalia as uniforms of brutality. What happens to society when the people who are empowered to protect, serve and save the community become the bad guys? The media, citizens, policymakers and all interested parties have a stake in ameliorating this view of the police. We can amalgamate our efforts from our various backgrounds and re-assert the image of our gallant men and women in uniform. I have done my part by sharing this content!

FILE PHOTO: A unidentified policeman uses the butt of a gun to assault an armed citizen during a public protest in the aftermath of the 2006 general elections in Lusaka's Chaisa Township. 

FILE PHOTO: A unidentified policemen descend on an armed citizen during a public protest in the aftermath of the 2006 general elections in Lusaka's Chaisa Township. 

CITIZEN RIGHTS AWARENESS BEARS FRUIT IN NANJUCHA

Nanjucha, one of the catchment areas where Actionaid Zambia has been conducting local rights programmes is one of the places in the western province of Zambia, where access to water remains a major challenge.

In Nanjucha, citizens are accustomed to fetching water from shallow ponds in the famous Bulozi plains. Others collect water from uncovered wells that provide unsafe water. The time to access water has improved greatly because in the past, an individual would take over 30 minutes to fetch water. The girls and other pupils missed classes because of the hustle of collecting water. 

The education system has not spared by the brunt reality of unclean water. Personal hygiene and provision of health services is a nightmare in the absence of safe water. Many girls in the adolescent age regularly miss class because of the challenge of not accessing water to handle personal hygiene during menstruation. 

BORE AT NANJUCHA

15-year old Precious Susikwana approaches an Indian made hand pump to draw water from a borehole that was sunk with the aid from Actionaid Zambia. This was at Nanjucha Primary School on July 20, 2017. Precious can now access safe water and attend school because of the water, which was not available in the past. 

CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION

Access to lean and safe water was a pipe-dream for pupils at Nanjucha Primary School in Nalolo constituency. For many years, the pupils and other citizens surrounding the school were used to unsafe water from a well. Here, a borehole sunk by Actionaid Zambia shows a modern water pump that provides good water and sanitation. Through local rights sesnsitisation activities in Nanjucha, citizens are now able to engage duty bearers to demand for delivery of social services. 

GOOD WATER AND SANITATION

15-year old Precious Susikwana (l) and 18-year old Lungowe Nyambe captured at a borehole that was sunk with assistance from Actionaid Zambia. This was at Nanjucha Primary School on July 20, 2017. Precious and Lungowe can now access safe water and attend school consistently because of the availability of water. 

NEW SOURCE OF WATER

15-year old Precious Susikwana (l) and 18-year old Lungowe Nyambe captured at a borehole that was sunk with assistance from Actionaid Zambia. This was at Nanjucha Primary School on July 20, 2017. Precious and Lungowe can now access safe water and attend school consistently because of the availability of water. 

POSING AT THE NEW BOREHOLE

Access to clean and adequate water has enabled 15-year old Precious Susikwana (l) and 18-year old Lungowe Nyambe to attend school lessons consistently. In the picture, the two pupils stand at the new water borehole that was sunk with assistance from Actionaid Zambia. This was at Nanjucha Primary School on July 20, 2017.

THE NEW CLEAN WATER SOURCE

Access to clean and adequate water has enabled 15-year old Precious Susikwana (l) and 18-year old Lungowe Nyambe to attend school lessons consistently. In the picture, the two pupils stand at the new water borehole that was sunk with assistance from Actionaid Zambia. This was at Nanjucha Primary School on July 20, 2017.

THE OLD CONTAMINATED WELL

Access to clean and adequate water has enabled 15-year old Precious Susikwana (l) and 18-year old Lungowe Nyambe to attend school lessons consistently. In the picture, the two girls are captured at the abandoned water well that was the only source of water for the entire community. This was at Nanjucha Primary on July 20, 2017. 

OLD CONTAMINATED WELL

Access to clean and adequate water has enabled 15-year old Precious Susikwana (l) and 18-year old Lungowe Nyambe to attend school lessons consistently. In the picture, the two girls are captured at the abandoned water well that was the only source of water for the entire community. This was at Nanjucha Primary School on July 20, 2017.

ACCESSING WATER IMPROVES SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

15-year old Precious Susikwana (l) and 18-year old Lungowe Nyambe captured at a borehole that was sunk with assistance from Actionaid Zambia. This was at Nanjucha Primary School on July 20, 2017. Precious and Lungowe can now access safe water and attend school consistently because of the availability of water

ACCESSING WATER

15-year old Precious Susikwana (l) and 18-year old Lungowe Nyambe make their way to the borehole that was sunk with assistance from Actionaid Zambia. This was at Nanjucha Primary School on July 20, 2017. Precious and Lungowe can now access safe water and attend school consistently because of the availability of water. 

ACTIONAID'S GLOBAL PLATFORM INSPIRES NALOLO YOUTH INTO ACTIVISM

Meet Pumulo Makokwa, a 23-year old youth activist from Kataba area, one of the marginalized wards in Nalolo constituency of Western province.

Pumulo has done professional training in primary teaching and is awaiting deployment by the authorities. For the past months, Pumulo has been mobilizing fellow youths in Kataba ward to participate in development processes that are going on. She got inspired to become an activist after attending a training at the Global Platform Zambia, where she acquired knowledge about local citizen rights, skills and attitudes to fight poverty and injustice and to challenge decision makers and duty bearers.

After the training, Pumulo undertook positive action to contribute to development, especially for young people in her community. With this new attitude change, Pumulo is determined to impart fellow youths with knowledge, skills and attitude to be active citizens through the organisation she co-founded, called Kataba Youth Club.

In addition, the Global Platform innovative training and capacity development unleashed Pumulo’s potential to pursue social change. According to Pumulo, social change is possible when young people amalgamate their efforts and create local activities.

Pumulo hopes that young people in Kataba area could unite and become champions and activists for empowerment. She dreams of a space for youth activism and volunteer programmes where all citizens can work together to bring about social change. 

PUMULO MAKOKWA- YOUTH ACTIVIST

This  is Pumulo Makokwa, a 23-year old youth activist from Kataba area, one of the marginalized wards in Nalolo constituency of Western province. Pumulo hopes that young people in Kataba area could unite and become champions and activists for empowerment. Here, she was photographed at Kataba Rural Health Centre on July 17, 2017. 

YOUTH ACTIVIST ON THE GO...

Pumulo Makokwa, a 23-year old youth activist from Kataba area, one of the marginalized wards in Nalolo constituency of Western province. Pumulo has been mobilizing fellow youths in Kataba ward to participate in development processes. She was photographed at Kataba Rural Health Centre on July 17, 2017. 

TELLING THE CITIZEN STORY

Pumulo Makokwa, a 23-year old youth activist from Kataba area, one of the marginalized wards in Nalolo constituency of Western province. Here, Pumulo gestures during an interview at Kataba Rural Health Centre on July 17, 2017. 

HANDS READY FOR PUBLIC SERVICE

After the training in citizen awareness at the Global Platform Zambia, Pumulo Makokwa undertook positive action to contribute to development, especially for young people in her community.  Pumulo Makokwa, a 23-year old youth activist from Kataba area, one of the marginalized wards in Nalolo constituency of Western province. Here, Pumulo gestures during an interview at Kataba Rural Health Centre on July 17, 2017. 

CITIZEN MORE AWARE OF RIGHTS

Pumulo Makokwa, a 23-year old youth activist from Kataba area, one of the marginalized wards in Nalolo constituency of Western province. Here, Pumulo poses for a photograph after an interview at Kataba Rural Health Centre on July 17, 2017.

NARRATING THE STORY OF CHANGE

After the training at the Global Platform Zambia (GPZ)on citizen awareness, Pumulo Makokwa undertook positive action to contribute to development, especially for young people in her community.  Pumulo Makokwa, a 23-year old youth activist from Kataba area, one of the marginalized wards in Nalolo constituency of Western province. Here, Pumulo gestures (l) with Prudence Nswana, GPZ Training Officer during an interview at Kataba Rural Health Centre on July 17, 2017

After the training at the Global Platform Zambia (GPZ)on citizen awareness, Pumulo Makokwa undertook positive action to contribute to development, especially for young people in her community.  Pumulo Makokwa, a 23-year old youth activist from Kataba area, one of the marginalized wards in Nalolo constituency of Western province. Here, Pumulo gestures (l) with Prudence Nswana, GPZ Training Officer during an interview at Kataba Rural Health Centre on July 17, 2017