Maravi

Liato's conviction tragic - Mabenga

Liato's conviction tragic - Mabenga
By Kombe Chimpinde
Fri 25 May 2012, 13:30 CAT

MMD acting president Michael Mabenga says Austin Liato's conviction over the K2.1 billion that he buried at a farm in Mwembeshi had dented the party. And Transparency International Zambia says society needs leaders that plant seeds of integrity, accountability and transparency.

Mabenga described Liato's conviction as dumbfounding. Liato is suspended MMD chairperson for labour. Mabenga said the conviction had caused a dent on the party that was already faced with the challenge of dealing with the tag of corruption.

He disclosed that the disciplinary committee of the party would have to sit to look at Liato's case.

"As the matter has come up, they will meet to discuss. It is a very tragic development. I am summing it up as being a very sad development."

Liato was suspended by the party after he was arrested pending the outcome of his court case.

And welcoming Liato's conviction, TIZ executive director Goodwell Lungu said public officers should learn to respect taxpayers' money.

Liato was on Tuesday slapped a two-year jail sentence by the magistrates' court for concealing K2.1 billion, property suspected to be proceeds of crime.

"If leaders fall short of the values relating to integrity, accountability and transparency, then they deserve to go to prison and reform," he said.

Lungu said TIZ was hopeful that the jail sentence of Liato would also serve as a lesson to PF leaders and public officers that were in government on the need to respect public resources.

"As TIZ we believe that it does not pay to engage in criminal activities but rather the results are always unpleasant. Zambians expect their leader of Mr Liato's standing to abide by the Zambian laws," he said.

Apart from being jailed, Liato also had his Mwembeshi Farm where the money in question was concealed last year forfeited together with the K2.1 billion.

Labels: AUSTIN LIATO, CORRUPTION, MICHAEL MABENGA, MMD

posted by MrK @ 2:28 PM