Rupiah has sanctioned stealing in govt - Sata

Rupiah has sanctioned stealing in govt - Sata
By Patson Chilemba
Tue 28 Sep. 2010, 04:00 CAT

PATRIOTIC Front (PF) president Michael Sata yesterday observed that President Rupiah Banda’s leadership has sanctioned stealing in government by removing the offence of abuse of office from the ACC Act.

And Belgian Ambassador to Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi and Mauritius - Paul Jansen - said it was his hope that there will be a level playing field as Zambia heads towards general elections next year. During a meeting with Ambassador Jansen at Southern Sun Hotel yesterday, Sata said there would now be free stealing in government.

“Leaders are supposed to submit their returns and they can only be penalised by section 37 of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Act if they don’t do that. But now with Rupiah Banda removing that one, it shows that all the government, including himself and 'Red-lips' George Kunda will not submit returns,” Sata said.

“That is free stealing, free for all because that removed clause is a kingpin of the anti-corruption. But our consolation is, it only protects emerging thieves. It will not protect those previous thieves, the renowned.”

Sata said he had briefed Ambassador Jansen on the happenings in Zambia during a private meeting they had earlier. He promised that PF once in government would open a mission in Belgium.

And Ambassador Jansen said as a diplomat, especially as he was based in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, it was his duty to understand better the political situation in Zambia.
He said he wanted to meet political leaders and those from other groups of interest.

“This is the idea of this meeting with Mr Sata today to know a little bit better how the Patriotic Front see the situation, political situation, economic situation, diplomatic situation,” Ambassador Jansen said.

“It is more a matter of getting information about everything which is happening in Zambia, about the new constitution. The President mentioned the fight against corruption. It is something, of course, that we take very seriously, not only in Zambia but countries in the world.”

Ambassador Jansen said members from the European Union and the international community hoped that Zambia’s elections next year would be free and fair.

“We hope there will be a level playing field for all. It is important for a country to have this kind of political life that everybody can express themselves and vote peacefully, and that the results are free and fair,” said Ambassador Jansen.