Hamaundu’s judgment has left a bad taste in the mouth - Mpombo
Hamaundu’s judgment has left a bad taste in the mouth - MpomboBy Kombe Chimpinde
Tue 24 Aug. 2010, 14:20 CAT
THE High Court decision to reject the registration of the London judgment leaves a bad taste in the mouths of Zambians, Kafulafuta member of parliament George Mpombo has said.
And Mpombo has observed that President Rupiah Banda's attempts to shield those close to him from facing the law is a miscalculated move that will only badly inconvenience them.
Reacting to President Banda's statement yesterday that government would not appeal against the High Court ruling rejecting the registration of the London judgment, Mpombo told Post Online that President Banda had totally no regard for Zambians.
“It is a decision that has got to be challenged. If this government claims to be a government that observes good governance and the rule of law, let him move to the next level and appeal. It is surprising to see Rupiah saying we are not going to appeal, it tells us that he has now taken up the legal role of government,” Mpombo charged
“We were expecting to see the DPP addressing people on the matter but he is just quiet. You know shielding Chiluba from facing the law by blocking the DPP from appealing is not helping the nation.”
Mpombo who said the judgment left a bad taste in the mouths of Zambians has called on Zambians to demand that the government immediately appeals the decision stressing that government may continue frustrating Zambians.
“...Banda has no regard for the people Zambia. We don't have a leader who is servant of the people. We have king Banda, he has assumed the role of kingship and that is making him behave as though he is untouchable,” he said.
Mpombo cited an examples of how government was so quick to take action on cases that concerned the opposition or anyone opposed to government positions.
Commenting on Zambia Police Service’s reluctance to apprehend gender in development minister Lucy Changwe, Mpombo said that the police’s sluggish response was as a result of the influence of President Banda.
“Banda cannot say he does not control the police. If he does not control the police what is the answer for the police's sluggish response on the matter,” he questioned.
“ I can tell you that I paid Findlay and the DPP confirmed that the case had been dropped but I was shocked later on just to be told that the case on.”
He observed that currently there were different sets of laws for different individuals.
“So you would understand why Father Frank Bwalya is calling for countrywide demonstrations. It’s understandable and justifiable as people are frustrated,” he said.
Mpombo charged that the police service was under President Banda’s armpit and as such was dictating the pace of the prosecution of cases.
“What Banda is doing (protecting plunderers) is an act in futility as he is inconveniencing these people. It is better to allow them face the consequences of their actions. What will they do when a new government is voted into power,” he said.
“Banda's recent hollow, baseless and bankrupt statements clearly indicates that he is protecting former president Frederick Chiluba,” he said.
Meanwhile Citizens Forum executive director Simon Kabanda has backed calls by Fr Bwalya to hold peaceful countrywide demonstrations to press government to appeal judge Evans Hamaundu’s ruling which rejected the registration of the London High Court judgment that found Chiluba and others liable of stealing US $46 million in public funds.
“..this government has taken Zambians for granted and I think it’s time for Zambians to show government that Zambians can stand up for what they strongly believe is the right thing for this nation,” said Kabanda.
Labels: EVANS HAMAUNDU, GEORGE MPOMBO, JUDICIARY
posted by MrK @ 3:33 PM
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