Police Officers in Zambia Banned from Marrying Foreigners because “spouses can be spies”

The Zambia police command has issued a notice halting marriages between officers and foreigners.

According to a memo signed by Inspector-General of Police, Kakoma Kanganja, the move is deemed as security caution for the country.

“Be informed that the Police High Command has with immediate effect directed that no police officer should marry a foreigner,” the memo read.

 

The directive further said officers who are already married to foreigners should declare their spouses within a week, failure to which they will face disciplinary action.

Speaking to BBC, Police spokesperson Esther Katongo, said officers are informed about the directive before joining the service.

“Issues of security are delicate. If not careful, spouses can be spies and can sell the security of the country,” Katongo added.

She said that the ban was not new, and that officers obeyed it. She said that the police only re-issued the order because some officers had begun ignoring it.

“There are a few officers who have started marrying foreigners,” she said. “They are ignoring the previous requirement and this is why another standing order has been passed to remind officers what they are supposed to do and not supposed to do.”

She said it was likely officers who had married foreigners would now be given “some rules they should follow”.

On the necessity of such measure, Katongo said: “When you get married, they say that you are one. You know what marriage is – you share secrets. And you can tell officers ‘do not disclose’ but you have no control. You won’t be in their homes to always check on them.”

“The security of the nation is what is paramount.”

See the circular below: