Maravi

Rupiah’s scams will be followed, says Panji kaunda

Rupiah’s scams will be followed, says Panji kaunda
By Chibaula Silwamba
Wed 18 May 2011, 04:00 CAT

THE numerous scams that President Rupiah Banda is involved in will follow him when he leaves office and he will be prosecuted, says Colonel Panji Kaunda.

Commenting on allegations that President Banda forced NAPSA to give US $98 million to Zambia National Building Society (ZNBS) to refurbish its Society House building in Lusaka, Col Panji said the questionable deal would follow the President when he leaves office.

“As PF leader Michael Sata is saying, whoever is involved in corruption no matter how big they are, they must be accountable to the people of Zambia through our system. This is what we are praying for,” Col Panji said.

“We must make sure that the money that was stolen is brought back. Every single brick that they have laid on their foundation, if it was stolen, it must be given back to Zambians. This is our cry and wish.”

He said there was need to change the Constitution and systems to ensure that the President was accountable to the Zambians unlike at present where he could violate laws and commit wrongs but the law enforcement agents cannot investigate him.

He said the President had excessive powers, whereby he could do anything without being questioned, appoint and fire anybody from his shoe cleaner to the Republican Vice-President.

He said even if the President was involved in corrupt activities, law enforcers like the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) could not do anything.

“There is no system in place today that can investigate the highest authorities in this country. Even now we have some of our leaders’ children spending a lot of money but the system is not there to ask.

They ask us where we get the money to campaign but nobody asks them where their children are getting money to buy all the fancy toys posh vehicles they are moving around with,” Col Panji said.

“Unless we change the government and thereafter change the system we shall forever be crying and our money will continue to be stolen.”

He said it would be up to Zambians, in a few months time, to get the MMD’s ‘big people’ out of government and bring in others who would govern according to the will of the people.

He said the new government must change the Constitution to allow law enforcers to operate independently and investigate whoever engaged in illegal activities.

Col Panji observed that the arrest of International Monetary Fund (IMF) managing director Dominique Strauss-Kahn, whom he described as one of the most important persons in the world, was proof that where there were systems, even the powerful could be arrested, held, and prosecuted for their wrongs regardless of their status in society.

“But we can’t see that happening here in Zambia. Here the powerful ones can get away with murder,” said Col Panji.

Labels: CORRUPTION, NAPSA, PANJI KAUNDA, RUPIAH BANDA, ZNBS

posted by MrK @ 3:48 PM