Govt has no intention to cut Cabinet, says Kunda

Govt has no intention to cut Cabinet, says Kunda
Written by Ernest Chanda
Sunday, January 25, 2009 7:21:19 AM

VICE-President George Kunda told Parliament on Friday that the government has no intention of reducing the size of Cabinet. This was in response to a question from Mandevu Patriotic Front member of parliament Jean Kapata who wanted to know if the government would consider reducing the size of Cabinet and cutting down on seminars in view of the global economic crisis.

"... I believe that our government is of the right size, representative and effective. I know that there have been calls from many sections of society to reduce the size of our Cabinet, but I think it is the right size. As for seminars, they are a matter which can be resolved. It is a good idea to cut down on expenditure, but certainly not cutting down on Cabinet," he said.

And Vice-President Kunda refused to comment on whether the government would consider allowing court marshals to prosecute cases of senior army officers.

This was after Namwala UPND member of parliament Major Robbie Chizyuka sought to know whether the government would consider allowing court marshals to play centre stage in the trials of senior army officers.

But in response, Vice-President Kunda said; "... I will not talk about issues that are before the courts of law."