Being a sex-worker does not mean that anyone can have sex with me even when I don't want.

Zambian sex worker

An identity parade was held, at which five officers were singled out, a police spokesman told AFP.

"It's very sad that the police who are supposed to be protecting people are now involved in criminal and inhuman acts," Zambia's Community Development and Social Welfare Minister Judith Kapijimpanga told Zambia's Monitor newspaper.

She also urged the police authorities to take action against those responsible.

Prostitution is a criminal offence in Zambia and the police often arrest prostitutes at night and detain them for loitering in public places.

Sexual abuse

In an interview with The Monitor, a sex-worker has been telling how the policemen demanded sex after she was arrested.

"I was picked up by police at night and taken to the police station where three police asked me to have unprotected sex with them if I wanted to be released.

She said this was not the first time the police have sexually abused her and asked the Zambian police to respect them regardless of how they earn their livelihood.

"Being a sex-worker does not mean that anyone can have sex with me even when I don't want."

Zambia is one of the countries worst affected by Aids and Ms Kapijimpanga pointed out that the police force has lost many officers to the disease.