By Respite Kaoma,
The Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) has called on the Zambia Police Service and the Ministry of Home Affairs to clarify what it describes as contradictions surrounding the recruitment of 4,000 officers.
In an interview with Mafken News, TIZ Acting Executive Director Raymond Mutale said the organization does not dispute the police mandate to recruit, but stressed that the process must be transparent given its scale and the conflicting statements issued by police command.
Mr. Mutale noted that the police spokesperson previously dismissed reports of an ongoing recruitment as false and indicated plans for an open recruitment of between 3,000 and 4,000 officers in 2026. However, over the weekend, the same office stated that the current 4,000 recruits were engaged through an internal process to replace officers who had died or retired.
He observed that the apparent contradiction within a short period raises concern and requires clarification, particularly regarding the recruitment referenced earlier in the year.
Mr. Mutale also questioned the size of the intake, noting that annual open recruitments in the Zambia Police Service typically range between 1,500 and 2,000 officers.
