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Rupiah's govt risks turning Zambia into a police state - TIZ

Rupiah's govt risks turning Zambia into a police state - TIZ
By George Chellah
Tue 30 Nov. 2010, 04:01 CAT

SELECTIVE application of the law by the police will lead Zambia into chaos, says Reuben Lifuka. And Lifuka says President Rupiah Banda's government risks turning Zambia into a police state in its quest for political survival.

Commenting on the recent warn and caution statement, which police recorded from George Mpombo, Lifuka, who is TIZ president, urged President Banda to take leadership and break the cycle of vindictiveness.

"Selective application of the law will lead this country into chaos and into a vicious cycle of vindictiveness. Every successive government will use the law and public institutions to revenge or settle political scores," he said.

Lifuka said President Banda's government ran the risk of turning Zambia into a police state in its quest for political survival during next year’s elections. He said the continued harassment and prosecution of political enemies such as Mpombo was not helping Zambia’s democratic credentials.

He said people who fell foul of the law should be brought to book but justice should be fair and equitable. Lifuka wondered why police never raised the six counts related to unretired imprest against Mpombo when he was minister. He said the use of public institutions, including law enforcement agencies was unfortunate, archiac and eroded confidence in those institutions.

He said police should tread carefully as they supported political causes, which may have detrimental effects on the country especially ahead of elections.

Lifuka challenged the police to demonstrate their impartiality and professionalism by prosecuting gender deputy minister Lucy Changwe who bounced a cheque and yet continued to live life like nothing happened. He urged the police to investigate all those cited in the 2008 Auditor General's report and the Road Development Agency special audit.

Lifuka said there were government officials still serving despite their violation of the public finance Act.

"In fact, some of the people cited in the RDA case have been rewarded higher positions of authority instead of being investigated as one would expect in normal circumstances," he said.

Lifuka said the Auditor General equally cited irregularities in public procurement and unretired imprest within the police. He said police should investigate and prosecute those in their rank and file who had breached the law.

He also called for the conclusion of investigations involving Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde.

Labels: DEMOCRACY, RUPIAH BANDA, TIZ

posted by MrK @ 5:36 PM