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Kabimba writes LAZ over Rupiah’s parentage

Kabimba writes LAZ over Rupiah’s parentage
By George Chellah
Mon 11 July 2011, 12:01 CAT

WYNTER Kabimba has written to the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) over President Rupiah Banda’s parentage. In a letter dated July 7, 2011 to the LAZ president, Kabimba, who is PF secretary general and also a lawyer, described the matter as a constitutional question.

“Dear Sir, RE: INQUIRY INTO PRESIDENT RUPIAH BANDA’S PARENTAGE. The Post Newspaper and the government print and From front page electronic media have over the last four weeks carried articles with different versions in respect of President Rupiah Banda’s parentage, and in particular his eligibility to qualify as President of the Republic of Zambia under the provisions of the Republican Constitution,” Kabimba stated.

“According to the Post Newspaper edition dated Wednesday 06th July 2011, under the article ‘Demand inquiry into Rupiah’s parentage, Milton urges LAZ’ one Milton Phiri wrote to the Law Association of Zambia on 16th June 2011, urging LAZ to demand for a public inquiry into this matter. However, the article does not disclose the steps which LAZ has so far taken in response to Mr. Phiri’s request.”

He stated that as Patriotic Front (PF), they had so far decided to leave this matter to the authorities concerned and President Banda himself to personally produce empirical evidence which would disprove Phiri’s allegations against him.
“However, to date no such evidence has been disclosed to the general public.

You will no doubt appreciate the fact that this matter is a serious constitutional issue, which cannot be glossed over as it is a matter of public interest,” Kabimba stated. “It hinges on the eligibility and qualification of Mr. Banda to hold the office of President of the Republic of Zambia. It cannot be resolved through the parading of traditional rulers in public making statements in support of Mr. Banda.”

Kabimba stated that the onus was on President Banda to disprove the allegations.

“As a person who has held the office of vice president of the Republic of Zambia, ambassador to Egypt, Foreign Affairs Minister, General Manager of NAMBOARD, Member of Parliament for Munali Constituency and Senior District Governor for Lusaka District, the government must have in its custody Mr. Banda’s personal and official documents which can easily put this matter to rest,” Kabimba stated.

“In view of the above, unless we hear from LAZ within 7 days from the date hereof what steps you intend to take in addressing the people’s concerns on this constitutional question we shall refer this matter to he Legal Committee of our party with instructions to commence legal proceedings to seek disclosure by relevant government departments of the official documents of Mr. Banda in order to prove or disapprove Mr. Phiri’s allegations.”

Kabimba’s letter was also copied to the special assistant to the President for legal affairs at State House, the Minister of Home Affairs and Messrs. Ellis and Company.

Labels: RUPIAH BANDA, THE POST, WYNTER KABIMBA

posted by MrK @ 6:10 PM