Maravi

Magande tribunal not necessary, says Lifwekelo

Magande tribunal not necessary, says Lifwekelo
Written by Margaret Mtonga
Thursday, March 26, 2009 7:37:15 AM

FORUM for Leadership Search (FLS) executive director Edwin Lifwekelo yesterday said there is no need to set up a tribunal to probe Ng'andu Magande because the investigative wings are handling the matter.

In an interview, Lifwekelo said it was not prudent to petition Chief Justice Ernest Sakala to constitute a tribunal to probe former finance minister Magande's alleged abuse of office when he supported the deferment of Zambian Airways' debt to National Airports Corporation Limited (NACL) because investigations were already underway on the matter.

"The Drug Enforcement Commission, the Police and the Anti-Corruption Commission are already carrying out investigations," Lifwekelo said. "Our view as an organisation is that if a tribunal is set up for Honorable Magande it will divert people's attention from these investigative wings to the tribunal which will not make sense. It's important to leave the current law enforcement agencies that are investigating the matter."

He said it was better to leave the matter for now so that those carrying out investigations could be focused.

"Once the tribunal is set it will require people to testify," Lifwekelo said. "Mind you a lot of money has to be spent. For example, judges are supposed to be paid. If the MP was found with a case to answer they will still have to go to the three enforcement agencies which will now become a circus."

Lifwekelo said setting up a tribunal for Magande would amount to politicising the matter.

He said a second tribunal should only be set if government has money to waste.

"The matter should be left to the three investigative wings," said Lifwekelo.

On Monday, a Chongwe resident Waziona Nkhwekwe petitioned justice Sakala, urging him to set up a tribunal to probe Magande for allegedly abusing his office when he supported the proposed deferment of Zambian Airways' debts to government

In his petition submitted to justice Sakala's office at the Supreme Court in Lusaka, Nkhwekwe stated that the allegations against Magande should be taken seriously and require immediate probe.

"The allegations have been made public and have received wide coverage and circulation in both print and electronic media," he stated.

Nkhwekwe stated that he was aware that the investigative wings were investigating the affairs of Zambian Airways but the allegations against Magande touched on his functions as a minister then and member of parliament now. Magande is MMD Chilanga member of parliament.

Labels: EDWIN LIFWEKELO, MAGANDE, NACL

posted by MrK @ 7:36 AM