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<\/div>\n<\/div>\nZambia\u2019s police force has scrapped plans to employ eight Chinese nationals barely 24 hours after it unveiled the scheme, following a public outcry.<\/p>\n
The new reservists were commissioned in the capital, Lusaka, on Monday.<\/p>\n
But the decision prompted widespread anger, especially in light of a ruling taken earlier this year that bans police officers from marrying foreigners for \u201csecurity reasons\u201d.<\/p>\n
Not even Zambians with dual-nationality are allowed to join the police.<\/p>\n
Dickson Jere, a lawyer and former presidential spokesman, said the constitution was clear on the matter.<\/p>\n
He told the BBC\u2019s Focus on Africa radio programme that the entire incident was an \u201cinsult\u201d \u2013 to others in the police, but also other Zambians.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we see a uniform of the police, it signifies our identity. It signifies our sovereignty,\u201d Mr Jere said. \u201cHow would we be feeling to see a police officer and be saluting a Chinese [national] in our own country?\u201d<\/p>\n
The appointment of the Chinese reservists had left many other people scratching their heads particularly as the government had previously removed other nationals from the security services, journalist Kennedy Gondwe reports from Lusaka.<\/p>\n
That move had been prompted because there was a feeling that foreigners were infiltrating, he says<\/p>\n
Suspicions over the recent recruitment were bolstered by distrust towards\u00a0the Chinese community in Zambia, which was estimated to number about 20,000 in 2015, according to the privately owned Lusaka Times.<\/p>\n
But the part-time officers are not thought to be have been going to perform any special role liaising with Zambia\u2019s Chinese community.<\/p>\n
Police spokeswoman Esther Mwata-Katongo had said they would just assist regular officers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had Indians who were police reserves and people were OK with it. Why should the Chinese be discriminated on race?\u201d the Lusaka Times quoted her as saying.<\/p>\n
But the police have since backed down from their position \u2013 with the caveat the officers\u2019 appointment broke no laws.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Source: BBC<\/p>\n
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