Zambia Youths Association in the Fight against Corruption says government’s decision to suspend K750 Covid-19 fine should not make citizens relax on observing the public health guidelines.
Speaking in an interview with Money FM News, Association Executive Director Morris Malambo said observance of the guidelines is not in any way doing government a favor but that it entails that citizens should take personal responsibility to put in place measures that can help safeguard their lives.
He stated that a correct position taken by government should not result in complacency on the part of citizens regarding the adherence to all the prescribed health measures.
“We would like as an association to strongly advise the citizens that as much as that position is welcome, it should not make the citizens of the country relax in as far as observance of these guidelines is concerned.”
“Observance of the guidelines is not in any way doing government a favor; you are basically taking responsibility as a citizen to put in place measures that can help in safeguarding your life. A correct position taken by government should not in any sense result in complacency on the part of citizens regarding the observance of all the guidelines,” Mr. Malambo said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Malambo commended Minister of Home Affairs Stephen Kampyongo for making clarifications regarding the implementation of the fine to do with failure to put on masks by members of the public.
He said based on the clarification, violators of the health guidelines will still be fined to the extent where one would find himself or herself in court.
“We also welcome the clarification in the sense that it is not the duty of police to be collecting spot fine, it’s the duty of the police to maintain law and order in a preventative fashion to mean that the position made by government where police will simply be engaging those that are not observing the guidelines and help them to do so is the best option and not where police are seen to be collecting fines.”
On Tuesday, Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja directed the suspension of the K750 fine and arresting of members of the public disregarding Covid-19 preventive measures such as wearing of masks.

And Home Affairs Minister Stephen Kampyongo clarified during a media briefing that it was not the duty of the Police to convict and charge erring citizens.

Mr. Kampyongo said it was regrettable that some police officers had taken it upon themselves to collect admission of guilty fees from members of the public, thereby misinterpreting provisions of Statutory Instrument (SI) Number 22.