High profile trials not based on political allegiance, says Malila
High profile trials not based on political allegiance, says MalilaBy Chiwoyu Sinyangwe
Sunday December 23, 2007 [03:00]
ATTORNEY General Mumba Malila has said the ongoing high profile trials of former political and defence leaders are not motivated by their political allegiance but their alleged involvement in criminal activities.
Officiating at the launch of the Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) Advocacy and Legal Advice Centre (ALAC) at Mulungushi Village Complex on Friday evening, Malila said the rule of law required that criminal process invoked against citizens was not because of their political perceptions.
“Entrenching the rule of law requires the averring consideration of public policy in contemporary Zambia and the rule of law requires that criminal process, especially invoked against citizens is not because of their political colour or allegiance or perceptions but because of their alleged involvement in criminal activity,” Malila said. “To apply the rule of law otherwise is to subvert or pervert it. That is the spirit animating the ongoing trials of former political and defence office holders.”
Malila also said there was need to deal with issues from the past that were detrimental to the fight against corruption.
“The consolidation of our fight against corruption demands also that we deal with some issues from our past that risk compromising the forward march in this fight,” Malila said.
Malila also cautioned the civil society not to treat people suspected of involvement in corrupt activities with hostility saying “clamoring for the blood of otherwise innocent suspects as sometimes we see among sections of civil society is inimical to fair trial provisions. Due process of the law must be seen manifestly to work.”
Malila also commended TIZ for its collaborate efforts with other civil society organisations like the Legal Resources Foundation, ward development committees, Zambia Civic Education Association and many others in the fight against corruption.
“These efforts to involve the civil society are targeted at encouraging more citizens and residents to participate in the fight against corruption. Administrative corruption is at the centre of the Zambia Millennium Challenge Account programme and will be addressed by removing the opportunities for graft by personnel in key government ministries,” Malila said.
Malila said despite the political will that the government had demonstrated, the fight against corruption still posed a number of challenges that needed collective efforts of all stakeholders.
“Government, especially my office, will remain open to constructive dialogue with all stakeholders on how to entrench a comprehensive and robust fight against corruption by promoting good governance,” said Malila.
Earlier, TIZ president Reuben Lifuka said TIZ opened its ALAC in August 2007 where citizens could seek advice, propose solutions and report corruption as well as customer service problems encountered in service delivery.
The TIZ ALAC becomes the first of its kind in Africa and the 25th in the world.
“Advocacy and Legal Advice Centre reject the notion that people are apathetic in the face of corruption, rather they demonstrate that they will become involved against corruption when they are provided with simple, credible and viable mechanisms to do so,” said Lifuka.
Labels: CORRUPTION, MUMBA MALILA
posted by MrK @ 4:58 AM
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