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Rupiah, Chiluba relationship speaks volumes about acquittal - Fr Bwalya

Rupiah, Chiluba relationship speaks volumes about acquittal - Fr Bwalya
Written by Mutuna Chanda in Kitwe
Sunday, September 13, 2009 8:21:42 AM

CHANGE Life Zambia (CLZ) executive director Father Frank Bwalya has said the rapport between President Rupiah Banda and former president Frederick Chiluba speaks volumes on the acquittal on corruption charges of the former head of state.

Commenting on the apparent closeness between President Banda and Chiluba, Fr Bwalya, who launched his organisation yesterday, said it was apparent that those who aligned themselves with the current administration would receive favourable treatment.

"The rapport that we are beginning to see between President Rupiah Banda and second Republican president Frederick Chiluba speaks volumes about the acquittal of Dr Chiluba and the subsequent withdrawal of the notice of appeal against the acquittal,” Fr Bwalya said. “It has become notoriously clear in this country that those who align themselves with the current corrupt government can receive favourable treatment including favourable judgments from our courts."

He said going by the way Chiluba was being treated when President Banda assumed office, the outcome of the corruption case against him was a foregone conclusion.

"Before the acquittal, Dr Chiluba started occupying a position he had not occupied during the reign of late Dr (Levy) Mwanawasa and it became clear to most of us that the judgment concerning his case would be an academic exercise because Mr Rupiah Banda was just waiting to have his new friend cleared before fully embracing him,” he said. “Now that he has embraced him as exhibited in the rapport that has developed between them, we don't expect that this corrupt government would want their friend to go back to court."

He urged Zambians to pray for justice over the acquittal of Chiluba.

"As Zambians, we should pray that the irresponsible action of the government to withdraw the notice of appeal is squashed to allow justice take its course," said Fr Bwalya.

Labels: CHILUBA, FRANK BWALYA, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 7:39 AM