Maravi

Give harsh punishment to corrupt people, Levy tells judiciary

Give harsh punishment to corrupt people, Levy tells judiciary
By Bivan Saluseki
Tuesday January 22, 2008 [03:00]

PRESIDENT Levy Mwanawasa has urged the judiciary to hand down harsh punishment to people convicted of corruption. During the swearing-in ceremony at State House yesterday, for three State Counsels, two High Court judges, two members of the Human Rights Commission and Zambia National Service commandant and other senior public service workers, President Mwanawasa said Zambia was a nation in a hurry.

President Mwanawasa said it was not a favour that those being sworn in had been appointed but rather the government expected them to work hard.

"We expect you to resist all temptation. We expect you to fight corruption. Particularly in the judiciary, I am not directing you on what to do but when you convict, anybody who is corrupt, please show him that it doesn't pay to be corrupt.

That money which he has received by corrupt practices as is the case in most instances, if it is not returned, let him pay back through a harsh punishment," he said.

President Mwanawasa was satisfied that those appointed were suitable for their positions.

He said those appointed like High Court judges Gertrude Chawatama and Eddy Mwengu Sikazwe, Industrial Relations Court deputy chairperson Judy Zulu and Zambia National Service commandant Major General Raphael Chisheta had one thing in common, which was that they were appointed from the public service.

President Mwanawasa said working in the public service must be a career.
"People must see that they can advance to highest positions," he said.

President Mwanawasa said being employed in the public service should be an added advantage.

He congratulated those appointed for their patience.
President Mwanawasa said his government was founded on the rule of law and human rights.

President Mwanawasa told Pixie Yangailo who is Human Rights Commission chairperson and her vice-chairperson Palan Mulonda that the commission should not encourage human rights abuses.

He said the Commission should be able to expose aggression.

"It's only then that we are going to be a nation that respects human rights," he said. President Mwanawasa said the government did not encourage abuse of human rights.

And President Mwanawasa swore in Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) president Elijah Banda State Counsel together with lawyer, Steven Malama.

Malama had represented President Mwanawasa during the presidential petition of the 2001 elections.

President Mwanawasa told Banda that he had decided to confer on him the honour of being a State Counsel.

"Mr Elijah Banda, you were recently elected as chairman of Law Association of Zambia. I decided, because I nominated you, I decided that I should add to this honour which the legal fraternity conferred on you, I should add the highest honour I know of in my capacity as State Counsel," he said.

President Mwanawasa also swore in Humphrey Ndhlovu as State Counsel.
"With Malama, it has been long overdue to become State Counsel. Mr Malama again, I did not nominate you," he said.

President Mwanawasa said when he left the University of Zambia 36 years ago, Malama was his first boss.

"He has continued to inspire me such that when I got into trouble with the law I got him as my counsel and he won," he said.

President Mwanawasa said Malama was one of the remaining few elderly and distinguished lawyers.

President Mwanawasa also swore in Crusivia Hichikumba as public policy analyst at Cabinet Office.

Labels: CORRUPTION, MWANAWASA

posted by MrK @ 6:19 AM