Maravi

UNZASU urges Rupiah to discipline Dr Musonda

UNZASU urges Rupiah to discipline Dr Musonda
By Allan Mulenga
Sun 13 June 2010, 03:40 CAT

UNIVERSITY of Zambia Students’ Union (UNZASU) has urged President Rupiah Banda to discipline health deputy minister Dr Solomon Musonda for shooting an innocent person.

Commenting on the recent shooting of Patriotic Front (PF) cadre Jackson Musaka in Serenje, the union stated that Dr Musonda’s case would set a bad precedent on the current political scene if it were mishandled.

“UNZASU also calls upon His Excellency the Republican President Rupiah Bwezani Banda to take stiff disciplinary action on government officials as such acts are discrediting his leadership,” the union noted in a statement signed by secretary general Otis Matongo and publicity and information secretary Mutinta Lunda.

The union asked Dr Musonda to resign on moral grounds to allow the law to take its course without government interference.

“Justice delayed is justice denied, therefore, Dr Musonda must resign to allow quick, free and fair investigations given his grave offence,” they stated.

The union urged Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde not to interfere with the matter.
“It is therefore imperative that the Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde look into this matter impartially and independently by opening an investigation into the shooting as the honorable deputy minister should not have gotten off with a mere warning,” the union stated.

Dr Musonda over a week ago shot and wounded Musaka in the head in Serenje district. Musaka was admitted to University Teaching Hospital and was discharged last week.

Police commenced investigations and recorded a warn and caution statement from Dr Musonda. They said they would wait for instructions from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). However, the police last week said the investigations into the shooting were still ongoing.

And upon his return from a three-day working visit to Mfuwe on Thursday, President Banda said he was sorry for Dr Musonda because he is a professional and there must be a reason that led to his shooting Musaka and that reason would soon be known.

“I am very sorry also for him Dr Musonda. This matter again as you know it’s in the hands of the police and the DPP Director of Public Prosecution. I have really nothing to say about it. I am of course very sorry for him. He is a professional; it’s a pity that this has happened to him but there must be a reason, we shall know about it soon,” President Banda said.

Asked if he would discipline Dr Musonda, President Banda responded: “No! No! I think you are going too fast, why can’t we wait until everything is clear.”

Labels: SOLOMON MUSONDA, UNZASU

posted by MrK @ 4:10 AM