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Govt can't change laws on corruption to suit foreign powers - Rupiah

Govt can't change laws on corruption to suit foreign powers - Rupiah
By Ernest Chanda, Chiwoyu Sinyangwe and Patson Chilemba
Sat 18 Sep. 2010, 04:02 CAT

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has said the government cannot retrospectively change laws on fighting corruption in order to suit foreign powers. And Patriotic Front (PF) president Michael Sata described President Banda’s speech to Parliament as a very desperate campaign speech.

Officially opening the Fifth session of the tenth National Assembly in Lusaka yesterday, President Banda bemoaned public use of the word ‘corruption’ on people and institutions, saying it was difficult to remove when there was no proof. He said those who use the word ‘corruption’ risked damaging the image of the country.

President Banda claimed that the fight against corruption had become more comprehensive and coordinated under his administration. He cited the intended amendment of the Anti Corruption Act, the enactment of the public interest disclosure (protection of whistle blowers) bill and the forfeiture of proceeds of crime bill as one way of strengthening the fight against corruption.

“It is simple to accuse an institution or a person of being corrupt. The word ‘corruption’ sticks easily, with or without proof and is hard to dislodge. Those who use the word too readily should be aware that they risk damaging the standing of our nation,” President Banda warned.

“We know corruption exists and with the legislation I have just mentioned, we will root it out. We cannot retrospectively enact laws, we cannot fashion our laws to suit foreign powers but we can, and will, use Zambian laws to hunt down corrupt individuals. Mark my words; ‘when’, not ‘if’ you are caught you will be dealt with severely. If convicted expect no leniency, just know that you have brought dishonour to your name.”

President Banda said the government had also shown commitment towards improving the judicial system by increasing courtroom capacity.

“To improve the staffing levels of our superior courts, government has further ammended the relevant laws to increase the number of Supreme Court judges from nine to eleven and that of High Court judges from thirty (30) to fifty (50),” President Banda said.

“To improve the quality of prosecutions in our courts and increase the independence of the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, this August House recently enacted the National Prosecution Authority bill. This Act brings all prosecutions under the Director of Public Prosecutions.”

And President Banda disclosed that he had hired a personal physical trainer in preparation for the 2011 election campaigns. He said since the election would not be for the faint hearted, it was important to prepare himself physically.

“Let me share a little secret with this August House. I have recently hired a personal physical trainer and intend to be fighting fit for the campaign year. I urge all members to do like wise, though through proper fitness and not by having domestic fights,” he said. “2011 will not be for the faint hearted. I will fight to win this election so that I can continue to fight to win for Zambia. We have set the foundations, now is the time to build a stronger Zambia.”

Meanwhile, President Banda yesterday exhibited ignorance on the cost of a 25kilogram bag of mealie meal. This was during a side interview with ZNBC staffer Kunda Mando after he finished addressing the House.

President Banda, who was boasting about the reduction in the price of the staple food lamentably failed to give the exact price. The President tried some guesswork but to no avail.

“…Is it K40,000 or K45,000?” asked President Banda.

And Sata said there was nothing new in the speech, except there was more vigour with which it was presented by President Banda. He said President Banda failed to address adequately how the government would handle the issue of purchasing produce from farmers which was currently going to waste because of the unavailability of the market.

Sata said President Banda failed to address how the government would tackle corruption, except focusing more on the same old story of the National Anti-Corruption Policy which had lamentably failed to address the vice because it lacked political will from those in power.

He said at least Zambians should take heart because this was the last speech President Banda would ever present to Parliament.

“There was no new thing in that speech, except it was a desperate political campaign speech. All his speeches are now political. He is not telling the people of Zambia anything. He has already launched his campaign,” Sata said. “He thinks we are foolish, we don’t see and we don’t know what is going on.”

Sata said President Banda’s statement immediately after addressing Parliament that the price of mealie-meal was K40,000 showed that he was ignorant of the people’s plight.

“This President is ignorant because he doesn’t know where this mealie-meal comes from. I think he is being cheated by somebody. There is nowhere you can find a bag of mealie-meal at 40 pin. All other brands of mealie-meal, that is a 25 kilogram bag, is selling at K58, 0000. Only GBM is selling at K55,000,” Sata said.

“When our people were being displaced during the rain season, our Vasco Da Banda was still discovering more countries. When it was hit by measles, he was still gallivanting. He doesn’t know the reality in this country he is supposed to rule because he enjoys breaking the legacy of Levy Mwanawasa.”

Sata said President Banda did not understand the duties of a President, saying a true leader should not link development to elections.

“He thinks that if he goes and opens a structure at a rural health centre, he has decongested UTH University Teaching Hospital. He has not, because he has provided a theatre without surgeons. So how has he decongested UTH? He is trying to bury the story of pictures shown by The Post of people sleeping on the floor,” said Sata.

“If people are sleeping on the floor at UTH, what about in a rural area? And since he is in the mood of commissioning things, I will buy a mobile clinic from Andrew Kurt and take it to town centre so that he can launch it from there. At least he won’t need to lobby for people to witness his launch.”

Meanwhile, UPND spokesperson Charles Kakoma described President Banda’s speech as a campaign ploy that lacked vision and direction for the country next year.

Kakoma said key national matters such as ongoing constitutional making process with the draft constitution expected to be presented before parliament, and dealing with high poverty levels in the country were some of the important issues missing in the presidential speech.

“The speech has not provided vision on how he is going to stop poverty in his last year in office. He should have dealt on what he is going to do in his last term in office rather than reciting past projects the MMD had done and praising past record,” he said.

Kakoma said President Banda spent more time over-praising his little achievements at the expense of addressing important national matters.

Economics Association of Zambia (EAZ) president Noel Nkoma called for tightening of public expenditure and increased expenditure in infrastructure development.

Nkoma said the expected resumption of key donors to the country’s road and health sectors would help prop up the performance of the local economy.

Labels: CORRUPTION, MICHAEL SATA, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 1:37 AM