Finally Home Affairs Minister Promotes Injured Police Officer Following #PromoteTheWomanConstable Social Media Campaign

The newly promoted Sergeant Marjory Moyo

By Paul Shalala

On 1^st March, 2016 I launched the #PromoteTheWomanConstable  social media campaign to attract the attention of the authorities and consider promoting Constable Marjory Moyo to Sergeant following her unfortunate accident where she was run over by a speeding mini bus in Lusaka.

A few days earlier, Marjory in the company of other Police officers from Ben Mwiinga Police Post in PHI, mounted a checkpoint at Marshlands where they impounded a minibus but unfortunately, its driver decided to drive off and in the process ran over the young officer.

Videos and still pictures showing her in a pool of blood went viral on social media as she was being transferred to a hospital at the back of a canter provided by a good Samaritan.

She was later evacuated to South Africa where she is now being treated.

Her condition was last time described as stable by Zambia’s envoy to South Africa Emmanuel Mwamba.

In launching the #PromoteTheWomanConstable campaign, I wanted the authorities to appreciate the role this lady played in ensuring that our roads are rid of unlicenced and careless drivers.

As a person who runs a minibus company, I know how careless and dangerous unlicenced drivers are and how they drive without regard.

This campaign was to help Constable Moyo get state recognition and be treated as a hero who was injured in the line of duty.

For a number of weeks, i kept posting the hashtag #PromoteTheWomanConstable on Facebook and Twitter to raise awareness.

This morning as I was at the District Administration in Kitwe to replace my damaged National Registration Card, I met Home Affairs Minister Davies Mwila in the carpark just when he was about to get in his vehicle to go and officiate at the ground breaking ceremony for housing units in Kawama area.

The Minister had just paid a courtesy call on Kitwe District Commissioner Chanda Kabwe as per procedure for any visiting government delegation.

“Paul good morning. Am sorting out your issue today,” said the Minister.

I didn’t know what the minister meant and i stood still watching him as he drove off.

At first I thought I had committed a crime but Mr Mvula, a messenger who works at the District Administration told me: “Just call him later, am sure he has something for you.”

I remained shocked and went ahead to replace my NRC which i managed to do within 20 minutes.

At around 11:30, my colleague Clinton Masumba from Flava FM who went to cover the groundbreaking ceremony, called me saying the Minister had recommended the promotion of Constable Marjory Moyo to sergeant.

I jumped in excitement and to me, the words from the minister now made sense.

The minister actually meant my social media campaign #PromoteTheWomanConstable when he met me in the carpark.

Marjory Moyo being transported to the hospital
after the accident

Finally, I feel happy, our hero will now wear three chevrons on her shoulders instead of the blank epaulette she had.

She was injured while trying to save people’s lives.

On Twitter and Facebook when I kept calling for her promotion, I was met with serious opposition.

People called the Police corrupt, uneducated and all sorts of things.

But i kept my faith knowing that one day the young lady will be appreciated.

But am now happy that my social media campaign has achieved its purpose: attracting the attention of the authorities.

According to the rules in the Police, the Minister has powers to promote officers upto a certain level.

Sergeant falls within that category while commissioners are only promoted by the President.

May I now take this privilege and rare honor to wish Sergeant Marjory Moyo a quick recovery and safe return home.