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Corrupt leaders must not be tolerated - Citizens Forum

Corrupt leaders must not be tolerated - Citizens Forum
By Kombe Chimpinde
Thu 08 Dec. 2011, 13:00 CAT

CORRUPT leaders must not be tolerated, says Citizens Forum executive director Simon Kabanda. Commenting on ex-South African police chief Jack Selebi whose 15-year jail sentence on charges of corruption was upheld by that country's Supreme Court on Friday, Kabanda said leaders who engage in corrupt activities must be reminded that they are not above the law.

"I want to remind our leaders about a Bemba saying umulandu taubola (A crime is never too old to be tried). If an official is shielded today, they should not think they will be shielded forever. When they hide behind the authorities they should not think that they are above the law," Kabanda said.

"The law catches up with those that perpetrate wrong doing regardless of their status or political affiliation. What is important for our leaders to learn a lesson from what has happened to Selebi all the time is avoid wrongdoing at all times."

Kabanda observed that the case of Selebi was not different from that of some current and senior government officials who engaged in corruption in Zambia.

Kabanda stressed that it was imperative for the country to ensure that the judiciary was independent from the executive and party in power for the effective prosecution of cases of corruption involving senior government officials.

"That is also a demonstration that the courts in (South Africa) are independent and that the executive does not interfere in cases before the law. That's also something we (Zambians) should learn, that the courts must operate freely," said Kabanda.

The Supreme Court of Appeals last week upheld Selebi's conviction for taking bribes worth US$156,000 from convicted drug dealer Glenn Agliotti for him (Selebi) to turn a blind eye to his (Agliotti's) business.

Selebi was a senior member of South Africa's ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC) and the most senior official appointed by the government to have been sentenced for corruption.

Labels: CITIZENS FORUM, CORRUPTION, JACKIE SELEBI, SIMON KABANDA

posted by MrK @ 3:14 PM