Maravi

Prosecute Rupiah - Chief Chisunka

Prosecute Rupiah - Chief Chisunka
By Roy Habaalu
Tue 20 Dec. 2011, 14:00 CAT

RUPIAH Banda must be prosecuted so that he reveals the people he stole with, says chief Chisunka of Mansa.

Commenting on chief Mwanachingwala's revelation that former president Banda phoned him last week and complained of harassment and threats by the PF government to send him to jail, chief Chisunka, who is the chairman for the Luapula Royal Establishment, said Banda must reveal the people that benefited from his corrupt regime before going to jail. He warned chiefs against being used by politicians.

"Those are the chiefs I warned not to become cadres and it's good that he (chief Mwanachingwala) has come out in the open. I warned last time that ba Banda and his corrupt officials must be investigated," he said.

Chief Chisunka said chief Mwanachingwala was not a lawyer and therefore Banda should just own up.

He said Banda should not complain of retribution because he pioneered the corruption among traditional leaders. Chief Chisunka complained that a few individuals benefited under Banda. He said those that benefited from president Banda should accompany him to jail.

"That's what we want. Let the authorities investigate him Banda so that all those who stole with him should reveal themselves like what happened to Chiluba. And even if they don't reach a conclusion they should also look at people with big bellies...It's better they are investigated so that they are known," he said.

Chief Chisunka said the investigations should not only end with Banda but everyone that might have benefited from the previous government and chiefs inclusive.

He said Banda was lonely now because some of the corrupt people that looted in the previous government had deserted him.

On Friday, chief Mwanachingwala of Mazabuka said Banda phoned him to complain of harassment and threats by PF government to send him to jail.

Chief Mwanachingwala, who was Banda's supporter and President Michael Sata's critic, said he openly told the former president that while he sympathised with the problems he was going through, he could not assist him in any way.

And Banda's administrative secretary Mikatazo Wakumelo yesterday referred queries related to government's suspension of disbursement of entitlements and benefits for Banda to the MMD.

The government on Sunday suspended the disbursement following the announcement by the MMD national executive committee that they had maintained Banda as the party's interim president, which is in breach of the Benefits of Former President's Act.

Information minister Given Lubinda said Banda was disqualified from receiving any emoluments due to a former president because he was still in active politics.

But Wakumelo said it was only the MMD's Major Richard Kachingwe who could comment on the matter since it was MMD that made the decision.

When contacted, Major Kachingwe said he was in a meeting.

Labels: CHIEF CHISUNKA, CHIEF MWANACHINGWALA, GIVEN LUBINDA, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 4:12 PM