THE 18 civil society organisations (CSOs) calling for the appeal against the acquittal of former president Frederick Chiluba have suspended their honking protest following a meeting with the Zambia Police Service.

Caritas Zambia Executive Director Sam Mulafulafu told a Press briefing in Lusaka yesterday that although the consortium of the 18 CSOs disagreed with the police on the interpretation of honking as a crime, it yesterday resolved to suspend the exercise.

Police commended the consortium for its cooperation and for the decision to call off the honking in the interest of public security.

Police spokesperson Bonny Kapeso said in an interview that the police would cooperate with the organisations on any measures other than honking provided there was ample notice.

Mr Kapeso insisted that the honking had been totally abandoned and not just suspended.

The organisations last week resolved to be honking every Friday from 17:00 hours in protest against the acquittal of Dr Chiluba but nine motorists including two Patriotic Front (PF) members of Parliament were arrested during the honking last week.

Mr Mulafulafu said the NGOs resolved to temporarily suspend the honking tomorrow.

Mr Mulafulafu said the decision followed a two-day meeting with the police during which senior officers stated the position of the law relating to honking as an offence.

The NGOs also appealed to Zambians to continue wearing black attire on Friday and actively participate in all advocacy activities in their respective areas.

Mr Mulafulafu said as civil society, they did not agree with the position of the police.

"The Zambia police did invite the consortium of 18 civil society organisations for a meeting yesterday from 10:30 hours to 15:30 hours and today from 10:00 hours to 12:00 hours primarily to discuss what they consider to be public security concerns.

"The Zambia police command emphasised their viewpoint that honking is illegal according to section 153 sub section 1, 2 and 5as well as Section 223, sub section 1 and 2 of theRoad Traffic Act," he said.

He said the consortium would launch massive countrywidedemonstrations next Friday and the Zambia police had assured them that their rights to demonstrate would not be interfered with.