Maravi

Shamenda calls for stiffer punishment for plunderers

Shamenda calls for stiffer punishment for plunderers
Written by George Chellah
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 5:01:49 PM

FORMER Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president Fackson Shamenda on Tuesday called for stiffer punishments for those involved in malpractices and abuse of office because some offences border on criminality.

And Shamenda challenged the government to tell the nation the truth over the mobile hospitals because the matter was nothing confidential.

Commenting on the second conviction of former Zambia Air Force (ZAF) commander Lieutenant General Sande Kayumba for abuse of office, Shamenda said exposures in the courts of law on most of these cases were an indication that there are no checks and balances.

"Lets look at the weaknesses in our system. We have to fill up those loopholes. It should not only end at exposing the malpractices or these abuses of office," Shamenda said. "They should stiffen the punishments for those involved or who are exposed by the Auditor General because some offences border on criminality."

He also called for the strengthening of the country's judicial system.

"They should look at the rules. There is a weakness, which needs to be looked at. The judiciary is over stretched. It is taking long for these convictions," Shamenda said. "The judiciary should be strengthened so that the cases are dealt with as soon as possible. So that the machinery of justice is speeded up, it doesn't make sense for some people to be appearing in court for five years now."

He said the conviction of Lt. Gen Kayumba and other senior military officers was an indication that there is a problem with the country's system.

"The convictions of senior military officers is not a good sign, its not something to be proud about. It's a sad reflection on our country. These are institutions in which people are expected to be highly disciplined and everybody was looking up to them. We expect them to be above board per se," Shamenda said. "What we should do as a country is not necessarily be looking for convictions... whilst that is good but we should say that 'for us to have these convictions it means there are weaknesses in the rules and regulations.' Lets fill up the loopholes like I said earlier."

On Monday, Lusaka chief resident magistrate Charles Kafunda sentenced Lt. Gen Kayumba to two years imprisonment with hard labour after he was found guilty of abuse of authority of office.

This sentence follows another case last March where Lt Gen Kayumba was jailed seven years with hard labour on seven counts of abuse of authority of office and corrupt practices.

Delivering judgment in the matter in which Lt Gen Kayumba stood charged of abuse of authority of office involving the unlawful purchase of a motor vehicle during his tenure as ZAF commander, Lusaka chief resident magistrate Charles Kafunda said the prosecution had proved all the alleged ingredients in the matter.

Facts before the court were that between March 8 and April 24, 2001, Lt Gen Kayumba being an officer in the public service and Air Force commander did abuse the authority of his office by directing or authorising the purchase of a motor vehicle registration number AAX 1176 and with ZAF registration number 3471B.

Magistrate Kafunda then sentenced Lt Gen Kayumba to two years imprisonment with hard labour on the basis that cases of public officers abusing their offices were becoming more prevalent and hence the need for some deterrent mechanism.

And on mobile hospitals, Shamenda challenged the government to tell the nation the truth over the matter.

"There has been some contradicting statements over the same. Lets get the truth... the truth should set us free. The government should come out and give us a full story," Shamenda said. "Let them explain so that if they have made a mistake they say that 'sorry we got carried away.' The people need to know its nothing confidential. Lets be open about it."

He urged the country to discuss the matter objectively.

"The idea wouldn't have been bad but is it the right time? Can our economy sustain it, what are our priorities? Will we be able to sustain it? Shamenda asked. "Lets not start fighting over it. It was a brilliant idea but forget it, it can't work at the moment."

Labels: CORRUPTION, FACKSON SHAMENDA, ZCTU

posted by MrK @ 4:03 PM