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Prof. Hansungule warns Rupiah over ACC Act

Prof. Hansungule warns Rupiah over ACC Act
By Ernest Chanda
Tue 13 July 2010, 04:50 CAT

PROFESSOR Michelo Hansungule has warned President Rupiah Banda that Zambians will not accept games on the fight against corruption. In an interview from his base in Pretoria, the human rights law lecturer said those in government should not change laws for personal gain.

He said the current Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) Act which the government was trying to change had worked well for the country.

“Until now, the Anti-Corruption Commission Act has been clear and already in line with international law the country has nodded to through the instruments of ratifications lodged with relevant bodies. Most of all, President Banda must understand that Zambians cannot afford games on corruption. If he and his Vice President are scared of leaving office, they must understand the simple fact that the present legal framework on corruption especially the offence of abuse of office has served Zambians well,” he said.

Prof Hansungule said the country needed serious leadership on corruption rather than an arrogant one.

He said it was a fact that Zambia had ratified international instruments that criminalise abuse of office.

“What Zambia needs is not arrogance by officials as exhibited by the President and his Vice ignoring peoples’ views, but basic leadership on crucial issues like corruption. Instead of fighting the scourge, it is a pity government is engaged in misdirected false struggles re-writing laws purely for personal interests,” Prof Hansungule said.

He quoted some parts of Article 20 of the UN Convention which do not support abuse of office.

He said the Convention does not support illicit enrichment of an individual without substantiating such wealth.

“What these provisions mean simply is that if you have 8 million United States Dollars in your or government account (as some people claim) which cannot be tallied to your income during the time you accumulated it, government should investigate you with the view to giving you an opportunity to explain it. In a civilized society, this is done in a court of law which has a duty to protect both the country and the individual concerned so that instead of your wealth being subjected to rumours, it can be brought to public domain and your right confirmed,” said Prof Hansungule.

Over a week ago, Vice-President George Kunda threatened Katuba MMD parliamentarian Jonas Shakafuswa with imprisonment when the latter questioned government’s motive to remove abuse of office from the current ACC Act.

This government move has been justified by Justice deputy minister Todd Chilembo and ZCTU secretary general Roy Mwaba, among others. But various stakeholders have condemned the move, arguing that those in government were trying to protect themselves possible prosecution if they have abused office.

Labels: ACC, MICHELO HANSUNGULE, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 2:44 PM