Maravi

Nkole explains his dismissal

Nkole explains his dismissal
Written by George Chellah
Thursday, August 27, 2009 4:11:35 AM

FORMER Task Force on Corruption chairman Max Nkole yesterday said he was a casualty because of his stance on former president Frederick Chiluba's acquittal but has no regrets. In an interview, Nkole, who described his dismissal as a temporary setback, said he was not bitter at all.

"It's a temporary setback. I am a casualty because of my stance. I don't regret my stance to appeal, I was totally right. My stance on us appealing, I was totally right," he said.

Nkole said he accepts that they terminated his job for reasons best known to themselves.

"My job as a corruption fighter is not the most envied job. It has casualties. It's from the perspective to terminate my appointment rather than the contract," he said.

He said his absence from the Task Force on Corruption does not take anything away.

"It's important for people to know that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is a lawyer acting on behalf of the Task Force as a government institution. The DPP appointed MNB legal practitioners to work with the Task Force as his agent," Nkole said.

"The Task Force gives instructions to the DPP through MNB legal practitioners. That's the sort of lawyer-client relationship that has existed. MNB has been prosecuting the Chiluba cases, the DPP himself has never been there in court."

He said MNB would remain the Task Force lawyers if the DPP wants them to continue.

"With or without me we have MNB legal practitioners acting on behalf of the Task Force. I have gone but the Task Force will remain until it's abolished," Nkole said.

On Tuesday, President Rupiah Banda's government fired Nkole following his appeal against the acquittal of Chiluba and the lengthy interview he gave to MUVI TV on Monday night.

Announcing the termination of Nkole's services in a short statement last evening, Secretary to the Cabinet Dr Joshua Kanganja stated that "following the expiration of the contract of employment of Mr Maxwell Nkole as executive chairman of the Task Force on Corruption, Mr Godfrey Kayukwa, director general of the Anti-Corruption Commission, will with immediate effect, serve as executive chairman of the Task Force for administrative convenience until further notice".

But government sources yesterday urged Dr Kanganja to be honest on Nkole's contract of employment.

"According to a letter of appointment sent to Mr Nkole by the late president Levy Mwanawasa on November 15, 2005. The then president stated that he had appointed Mr Nkole as executive chairman of the Task Force on Corruption with effect from November 16, 2005 for an initial period of six months. After which Mr Nkole will be confirmed to permanent establishment," the source explained.

"So what expiration of contract is Kanganja talking about? If you read president Mwanawasa's letter you will see that the reason being cited is not the true position. Why did they have to wait all this while only to come and realise that now? Why didn't they talk about this in 2006? So what has happened here is a termination of employment and not expiration of contract as Kanganja is putting it."

Labels: CHILUBA, MAXWELL NKOLE

posted by MrK @ 3:13 AM