Maravi

Mangani explains why IG hasn’t stepped aside

Mangani explains why IG hasn’t stepped aside
By Margaret Mtonga
Sat 23 Jan. 2010, 04:01 CAT

HOME affairs minister Lameck Mangani has said Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde will only be asked to step down from his position at the recommendation of the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC).

Mangani yesterday said it was premature for stakeholders to ask Kabonde to step down from his position because the ACC was still carrying out investigations. He said the ACC had interviewed various people in connection with the procurement of escort motor vehicles and other equipment.

“In case of the Inspector General of Police, my ministry is still waiting for information on the progress of the case from the ACC.

Inspector General of Police is being investigated in his alleged involvement in the over K1 billion from the instrumentation for Traffic Law Enforcement a company based in South Africa,” Mangani said during a press briefing at his office. “I wish to inform you that there is a standard procedure of dealing with such cases. Once the investigations have reached a certain level, then ACC shall inform the ministry concerned of all whose involvement in the case may require further action.”

A combined team of ACC, Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), Zambia Police and Intelligence officers last week recorded a warn and caution statement from Kabonde in connection with unaccounted for K1 billion overpaid to a South African traffic equipment and car dealer.

On Thursday, Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) asked Kabonde to step aside as investigations in his alleged involvement in the overpayment of K1 billion to a South African company were going on.

TIZ president Reuben Lifuka appealed to Kabonde's professional conscience to step aside for the betterment of himself and the Zambia Police Service.

And Mangani said the clause that was recently adopted by the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) which required a presidential candidate to have a minimum of a bachelor's degree for one to contest in an election was not discriminatory.

“This is a good move because right now it will make people to aspire for higher education. The difficult thing about this new clause is that people are just thinking in line of the 2010 elections. This will help the would-be president to be able to articulate issues that affect the country,” Mangani said.

He urged both the young and old to ensure that they attained degree qualifications.

“So Mr Sata still has a chance to become a degree holder. Currently there are no specifications on what kind of a degree one should hold, it is just a degree in any field,” said Mangani.

On Wednesday, the NCC adopted a clause that requires a presidential candidate to have a minimum of bachelor's degree for one to be eligible to contest the Republican presidency.

Labels: FRANCIS KABONDE, INSPECTOR GENERAL, LAMECK MANGANI

posted by MrK @ 10:56 PM