A Copperbelt based Philosopher Thomson Chalubemba says the acquittal of former president Fredrick Chiluba give impetus for more people entrusted to run public funds to steal more from the public scoffers.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Ndola yesterday, Mr Chalubemba said the court verdict on Chiluba’s corruption charges lacks credit and denies the Zambian people justice.
Mr Chalubemba said the acquittal will also reduce the donors’ perspective of Zambia’s strong stance in the fight against corruption.
He added that the acquittal of the Dr Chiluba by the local courts also puts the credibility of the Zambian judiciary in question in the eyes of the international community as the case of Dr Chiluba was highly sensitive and was followed by most countries on the globe and international organisations.
He said if the intention was to pardon Dr Chiluba in an effort to promote unity and reconciliation in the country, it should have been done that way instead of freeing him through a questionable acquittal that has now made most people loose confidence in the judicial system.[quote]
And Mr Chalubemba has commended the Task Force on Corruption for appealing against the acquittal of the former president.
He urged government to ensure that the judicially is not interfered with and allowed to work independently so that justice prevails.
He said the fight against corruption should continue and friendship should be put aside in the fight against the scourge for the sake of the country.
He said it was sad that 45 years after independence the country is still walloping in abject poverty.
The senior citizen said leaders should be striving to improve investment in the country, improve road infrastructure, improve sanitation, and the agriculture sector among others instead of promoting adverse vices such as corruption.
Last week former republican president Dr Fredrick Chiluba was cleared of all corruption charges by a Lusaka magistrate court.
But his acquittal has been received with mixed reaction from various sections of society and the Task Force on Corruption has since appealed against the Acquittal.
ZANIS
It is sad but not suprising
NO NEED TO BE SADDENED PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA ,TEH VENDICT HAS BEEN PASSED .LETS JUST MOVE FORWARD INSTEAD OF COMPLIANING ABOUT CHULIBA AND ALL ,OUR GREATEST PROBLEM NOW IS HOW DO WE REMOVE RB FROM BEING PRESIDENT COME 2011? THE MAN IS DESTRYING OUT NATION SLOWLY BY SLOWLY WE DONT WANT THE KAUNDA ERROR TO REPEAT IT SELF LOOK AT ZIMBABWE WAS ONCE A STABLE NATION BUT LOOK AT HOW PEOPLE WHO WANTS TO BE IN POWER FOREVER HAS MESSED UP THAT COUNTRY ? WE NEED TO STAND AS ZAMBIANS AND STAND FOR WHAT IS RIGHT FOR OUR NATION.
Typical of our countrymen. Here is this chap dressing himself a tag of a Philosopher when he has no philosophy. Some of these zealots must find better ways of featuring in the media than this nonsense.A philosopher wthout philosophy.
What kind of a philosophical thinking is this nonsensical appeasement oriented thinking? So if a case has been internationalized, the verdict should be all conviction only? Why then do you take cases before courts?
He said “He added that the acquittal of the Dr Chiluba by the local courts also puts the credibility of the Zambian judiciary in question in the eyes of the international community as the case of Dr Chiluba was highly sensitive and was followed by most countries on the globe and international organisations”.
LUSAKANISTAN, HERE WE COME!
“He urged government to ensure that the judicially is not interfered ”
Chizunga ba LT…masiku onse ni kutyola ka?
#3 So annoying in all your talks, an agent of the DEVIL!
It is truely a shame that with all the evidendce aganist FTJ, Chiluba , he was acquited. The donar countries are watching and will not be willing to help a country that seems to be so reluctant to tackle corruption. RB is to blame. Its the poor pipo who will pay the price if the donors pullout . Can t the procecutor appeal this verdict and have a retrial.
Report something suspicious and not something strange..this Zambia the real Africa
Whether FTJ waz found guilty and even locked at Mukobeko withe keyz thrown in a bottomless pit, the livez of Zambianz would not get any better. It iz the aftermath of the acquital that iz not good at all.
It is clear to see how the judiciary is compromised in Zambia; where the law only seem to exist for the poor.
My personal observation is that the judgment was, a miscarriage of justice. In my opinion, Chiluba’s acquittal does not make legal sense. The funny thing is Regina was found Gulity of reciveing stolen property from Chiluba, but Chiluba himself was acquited, this is a miscarriage of justice.
#3 SC. Do you have any morals atall. You think all that is happening in this country is in line with the norms?
hay……..life goes on. You cant keep crying over spelt milk. Move on people!
Sata should use the Chiluba and Nkole saga to impeach RB.
I don’t know what is sadder – Chiluba’s acquital or the fact that this guy calls himself a philosopher. Zambia, we should just build a wallfence around the country, lock the gate and be left to die a quiet national death.
This stupidity from Zambians should stop the rulings in court are not always fair serious judges do not just pass judgement because a lot of people are hate, Just in Scotland here some chap was free on compassionate grounds knowing fully well not many will be happy but its the law.
Same there if those Nkole et al failed to represent the Zambian people effectively then the courts are left with no choice.
But anyways we all have our own opinion on this matter so maybe i understand where you are coming from though in Zambia most ppl only speak either to side with the masses or just for there on benefit 15 minute of fimo fimo
I wish I was related to FTJ……with the 8.5M dollar he is claiming back from government who wouldnt want an uncle like that …atleast I would have a small share…..Nichekeleko Malume kaili!!!
I’m sure other young people have made this suggestion already, I mean the ones with good heads on thier shoulers, and not baskets cases like Suilapwa who have chosen to be both young and stupid (a terrible combination). Why can’t we push for a “ZAMBIA FIRST – YOUTHS TIME TO GRAB THE REINS FROM THE OLD AND CHART YOUR DESTINE IS NOW” campaign before these recycled old dogs run this country into the ground. Something in those lines. It can be a website backed by countrywide campaigns. There are donors out there who have our interests at heart, they could assist. Sorry folks, but I just don’t know whatelse to do to save mother Zambia from these old and stupidly dangerous old fools who only seem to live for now. Can’t see beyond their big noses anymore. I’ve got kids you know.
Senior Citizen it`s alright to use big words but only if they make sense. Most of your posts leave much to be desired let alone the vocabulary used. You are a perect example of Africans who think to sound learned one has to use big words!
Look at Iraq today. That is what donors can do. We have lost what we are because we are forever looking for donor approval. Which president in developed countries has ever been prosecuted for crimes committed during his teniar of office. The immunity of a president should never be removed. The solution is to scrutinise a president before voting for him. Whether Chiluba is guilty or not, the majority who voted for him should bear the consequencies. Leave Chiluba alone. Even Levy was a product of corruption. Wake up Zambians.
Mwana tell us how we zed peaple can wakeup. But dont tell us to vote for the philo philo or hakasata.
Philosopher! Ha ha ha ha ha.
We really do have all sorts of people in Zambia. Well, at least we now have heard of him.
What phiolosophy does he propound, if one may ask?
Mr. Thomson Chalubemba, What type of philosopher are you. I share in your concerns on the subject but waht do you expect politicians to offer. They are of the same color worldover. Their preoccupation to rule at any cost until nature stops them. They cause wars which result in loss of lives, property, displacement of pipo emass and when they reach a stlemate they go back to round table and negoatiate. The aquital of FTJ may appear to be in bad test in your eyes but to the MMD its a celebration coz one theirs is free at last. Chiluba may have done wrongs but how many pipo who received his gifts have returned them to the councils (houses), GRZ and parastatals. The clergy received vehilces, money etc have they returned them. Let the laying does dogs lay. RB & FTJ nid each other politically.
Philosopher Chalubemba? Hahahahahahahahahahaha Dagga smoker!!!!! What philosophy have you ever come up with? Anyway a lot of chaps indirectly benefited from Chiluba’s case. Eg the POST (good sales) MNB (legal fees) Max nkole (Allowances) etc. Now that FTJ has been acquitted ninsala yekayeka