Zambia Police officers have been banned from marrying foreigners

Police in Zambia have been banned from
marrying foreigners. This is according to a memo
released by the Inspector General of Police. The
memo, dated 11 January, said those who were
already married to foreigners should declare it
within a week and failure to do so would attract
disciplinary action.
Police spokeswoman Esther Katongo confirmed
the memo, saying that a standing order had been
issued, notifying police officers of the measure,
but that the ban itself was not new. It was being
reinforced because some police officers had
started ignoring it.
"Issues of security are delicate. If not careful,
spouses can be spies and can sell the security of
the country. There are a few officers who have
started marrying foreigners. 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," Katongo said.
Asked why such measures were necessary, Ms
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.