By 
President of the United for Better Zambia (UBZ), Hector Soondo, has strongly condemned the reported police killings in Chibolya Compound, describing the incident as a grave violation of human rights and an unacceptable abuse of state power.
Soondo said the loss of life raised serious questions about the conduct, accountability, and professionalism of law enforcement agencies.
He stressed in a statement issued in Lusaka on Saturday that the sanctity of human life must always be upheld.
He warned that police killings were unlawful when excessive force was used and further weakened democratic principles.
“When citizens begin to fear the police instead of trusting them, the social contract between the state and the people is broken,” he said.
Soondo added that law enforcement officers were mandated to protect life and maintain order, not to act as “judge, jury, and executioner.” He said such actions created long-term consequences for communities like Chibolya.
“They fuel anger, deepen mistrust, and can lead to cycles of violence and instability. Young people, in particular, may grow up believing that justice cannot be achieved through lawful means, which undermines national unity and peace, “Soondo stated.
He said UBZ believed policing must always be guided by restraint, professionalism, and respect for human dignity. The use of lethal force, he emphasized, should only occur as a last resort under clear and accountable circumstances.
To address what he described as a disturbing trend, Soondo called for the establishment of an independent civilian oversight body with powers to investigate complaints against the police and recommend prosecutions.
“To address this disturbing trend, I call for the establishment of an independent civilian oversight body with the authority to investigate complaints against the police and recommend prosecutions. This will help restore public confidence and ensure impartial handling of such serious incidents,” he said.
He also urged government to invest in continuous training for officers in human rights, conflict de-escalation, and community policing, noting that modern policing required skill, discipline, and emotional intelligence—not brute force.
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“In addition, I propose that Parliament strengthens laws governing police conduct, ensuring that accountability mechanisms are not only in place but actively enforced. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done, “Soondo said.
He emphasised the urgent need for police officers to be equipped with non-lethal tools to manage high-risk situations without resorting to deadly force.
Soondo said the events in Chibolya highlighted a worrying pattern of excessive force that eroded public trust and undermined confidence in the justice system.
He called for an immediate, transparent, and independent investigation, insisting that all those found responsible must be held fully accountable regardless of rank.
He further urged the government to urgently reform policing standards, strengthen oversight mechanisms, and ensure that officers operated strictly within the law and with full respect for human rights.
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