Maravi

Don't send me to jail - Rupiah

Don't send me to jail - Rupiah
By Staff Reporters
Tue 21 Feb. 2012, 12:00 CAT

RUPIAH Banda has pleaded with President Michael Sata not to send him to jail but instead forgive him over allegations of corruption.

Well-placed sources disclosed yesterday that former president Banda made the plea during a private meeting last Tuesday with President Sata and a few ministers after a luncheon which was hosted for the Zambia national soccer team following their AfCON victory in Gabon.

"Mr Rupiah pleaded with the President not to send him to jail. He said ‘you are my brother and we come a long way, please do anything but please don't send me to jail. I am too old to go to prison. My family will suffer. Already we are stressed with these investigations'," said the source.

Among those who attended the meeting were defence minister Geoffrey Mwamba and home affairs minister Kennedy Sakeni and his deputy Obvious Mwaliteta.

The source said President Sata remained mute on Banda's plea and only said "it's up to the Zambian people to make that decision".

Last year, President Sata instructed law enforcement agencies to probe the US$ 1 million (about K5 billion) held in Rupiah Banda's Mphundu Trust Account linked to the construction of posh flats in Kabulonga.

Recently, Banda was linked to money laundering and abuse of office in relation to the purchase of Plot No. RE/A/29/488A Leopards Hill Road, Kabulonga.

President Sata's directive came in the wake of revelations that Mphundu Trust had unexplained funds in one of the banks in the country.

"Information we have received is that Mphundu Trust is holding over US$1 million with one of our local banks," President Sata had said.

"Considering the colossal amounts involved in this bank transaction, I strongly believe that it's only fair and prudent for the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), in liaison with other law enforcement agencies, to professionally and systematically investigate this matter. Let it be known from the onset that the decision to probe Mphundu Trust is without malice or ill-motive but to simply set the record straight by ensuring that the due process of the law applies."

President Sata had promised Zambians that accountability, transparency and fairness before the law would be the bedrock of the PF regime, and that therefore the probe on Mphundu Trust was in line with the vision.

According to sources knowledgeable about the transaction, Banda acquired the property about three months after becoming president for about US$700,000 and demolished what was there to build a multi-million dollar complex of 12 luxurious villas.

On February 2 this year, Banda was added as director to Mphundu Trust Limited joining his wife, Thandiwe, who is also a director.

Another director, Robert Ashley Penney resigned on January 20, 2012.

Most of Banda's close associates, who include his former ministers, are being investigated by the joint investigative team on the plunder of resources.

Banda is immune from prosecution but there have been calls from some sections of Zambians to have his immunity lifted so that he can be prosecuted.

His son, Henry, is also being sought by police to help with investigations into alleged corruption during his father's rule.

Labels: MICHAEL SATA, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 5:19 PM