The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction CSPR has revealed that the non-governmental organization was this morning summoned by police to explain its operations in Chipata and Mambwe Districts.
CSPR Provincial Coordinator, Maxson Nkhoma says that he is shocked that police expressed concern that the NGO is operating in Mambwe and Kasenengwa Constituencies, which have pending by-elections.
CSPR yesterday held a community interface meeting in Kasenengwa Constituency and is today expected to hold another meeting in Mambwe district.
Mr. Nkhoma has told Breeze News that CSPR started operating in the two districts in 202 and that their programs are related to poverty reduction through monitoring budget execution and service delivery monitoring.
He says that the programmes have nothing to do with politics and that the NGOs should not be stopped from conducting normal operations even in areas where there are pending bye-elections.
Mr. Nkhoma says that CSPR will write to Zambia Police Eastern Command expressing their concern and disappointment with the Police conduct.
And when contacted, Provincial Police Commissioner, Grace Chipalila said that she would comment on the matter later.