Thursday, March 28, 2024

I had nothing to do with Mpombo’s prosecution-RB

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President Rupiah Banda in the Presidential car

President Rupiah Banda says he had nothing to do with the prosecution, convictions and sentencing of former Defence Minister, George Mpombo, by the Ndola Chief Resident Magistrate Kelvin Limbani.

President Banda said he had nothing to do with Mr. Mpombo’s court case, in which he was facing one count of issuing a cheque on an insufficiently funded account in December last year.

President Banda, who said he had just heard about Mr. Mpombo’s conviction from journalists, said those accusing him were being insincere.

“You know they are lying. I am not in charge of the police, I am not in charge of the judiciary and I did not even follow his case,” he said.

He was responding to journalists at Lusaka International Airport before he left for Botswana for a two- day state visit at the invitation of his counterpart, Ian Khama.

The journalists who wanted to get his comment on allegations that he was playing double standards in the administration of the justice system in the country.

Some sections of the political sphere have accused President Banda of being biased in the administration of justice saying Mr. Mpombo’s case was done speedily while Deputy Minister of Gender, Lucy Changwe, who also issued a cheque on an insufficiently funded account, has not been arrested.

Mr. Mpombo, who is also Kafulafuta Member of Parliament, was found guilty of one count of issuing a cheque on an insufficiently funded account in December 2009 and has since been sentenced to two months simple imprisonment.

President Banda is accompanied to Botswana by Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Lucy Mungoma while Minister of Health, Kapembwa Simbao, is already in that country for the same visit.

While in Botswana, President Banda will officiate at that country’s international trade fair and open Serowe Institute of Health Sciences in Serowe.

He was seen off at the Lusaka International Airport by Vice President George Kunda, Minister of Defence, Kalombo Mwansa, Minister of Information Ronnie Shikapwasha, Works and Supply Minister Mike Mulongoti and Presidential Affairs Minister, Ronald Mukuma.

Others are Local Government Minister, Eustarckio Kazonga, Mines Minister, Maxwell Mwale, senior government officials and defence and security chiefs.

The President is expected back home tomorrow.

ZANIS

53 COMMENTS

  1. MPULUNGU MMD member of parliament Lameck Chibombamilimo has died.
    Sources at the Zambian High Commission in India confirmed Chibombamilimo’s death.

    The sources revealed that Chibombamilimo died at Apollo Hospital in India on Monday morning around 07:30 hours.

    Source: Post Online

  2. Just shut up Ala Bee, who doesnt know you have everything to do with it. We demand to see lucy behind bars in coming weeks.

  3. We believe you your Excellency, I mean what time do you have to attend to such things when you are always on the move?
    Go well to Botswana and Namibia

  4. “You know they are lying. I am not in charge of the police, I am not in charge of the judiciary and I did not even follow his case,” he said.

    How can he expect us to believe him ,when he has even reached an extent of instructing police to release suspects before the are even formally charged ,if the chifubu case is anything to go by.

  5. People of Mpulungu,hammer the MMD again. Emulate the example of Mufumbwe, Solwezi Central and all over where the MMD has been losing. After all, RB refused to take Chibombamilimo outside the country for specialist treatment. It was too late when the decision was made.

  6. Meanwhile, former secretary general of the National Energy Sector and Allied Workers Union (NESAWU) Yotham Mtayachalo has advised PF president Michael Sata to respect President Banda and desist from scandalising his office.
    Mr Mtayachalo said it is unfortunate that Mr Sata has developed the habit of making wild and unsubstantiated allegations against Mr Banda in an effort to gain political mileage.

    Iwe kaYotam, learn to keep quiet. We know you are desperate for a job. And I strongly suspect that your support for HERB is tribal/regional. What respect is HERB due?

  7. Is RB serious or what? I think he should stop answering questions whose answers have not been writen for him. Just the other day in Chifubu he PUBLICLY announced that he had INSTRUCTED Police to release the arrested PF cadres who blocked the Veep and then today he says he is not incharge of the Police? Malabishi!!!! Was it not after his instructions that Chabwela was arrested?

    Is this the man called His Excellence????? Why cant he just have all questions go to his press aide who atleast can efforts to make the lies to be in tandem…..this is so disheartening to have a President who cant coordinate his statements made within a WEEK!

  8. Wenye Mabosses! Guys you are all wrong I can agree with you if the man is accused of influencing the judiciary in other countries certainly not in Zambia. He is out of the country most of the times after all so how does he influence local businesses. The man has no time to see whats going on in the country- his is just to enjoy the trips period! Sometimes he does not even know where he is when he wakes up!

  9. It is sad how this government has gone so low. It is even hard to comment because its like talking to three year old kids. I feel sorry for the old man RB, when you are that age especially in that side of the land ,you start losing it. If you put em sucks back in power for another five years you are screwed up Zambians.

  10. True, just like he had nothing to do with the acquital of Chiluba, the dubious sale of ZAMTEL and the loss of by elections accross the country last week. Now we will see what happens in Mpulungu. If I was MMD, I would buy me a life jacket or fast learn how to swim because this Bwezani titanic ship of theirs is seriously listing and headed for the bowels of the river come next elections. Not even the removal of the abuse of power clause will save Kunda. With him, actually all you need is just incarcerate him and nature will take it’s course.

  11. Hatred from the PF has consumed many PF bloggers on this thread. They cant even produce indisputable verifiable evidence to prove President Rupiah Banda had something to do with Mpombo’s prosecution. These PF bloggers warp on ad hominems and insults to satisfy their bitterness and hatred of a president who has not done anything to warrant such blatant hatred.

    Like the president said, hatred will not take you anywhere. The same PF bloggers claim the govt officials are “dumb and dumber” and yet they (PF bloggers) are the ones coming out dumb, stupid, incompetent, dull, thuggish, violent, backward, brainless, dense and indolent.

    Can anyone tell me if there is anything intelligent that for example #14 has stated in her post? How much information can anyone deduce from such a…

  12. cont. from #15

    from such a comment?

    If this is what is expected from the PF then I fear for my nation. If this is the group of thugs that hopes to form govt then I really fear for this nation. The same PF that cant form competent arguments and instead warp on insults the same way #14 has done. This is the same PF that is consumed with bitterness and makes comments with no intellectual worth like #2 has. It is silly to see PF bloggers coming off as know-it-all’s accusing the president of something when they do not have verifiable indisputable evidence to back up their empty claims.

    Wallow in your hatred PF bloggers. It is the only thing you have going for you anyway. I have never seen such from UPND bloggers. Shocking they are in this pact with PF.

  13. Kwena Chi mbuya Chi RB nichawenye ngako. We thought old age with him is wisdom, but it is stupidit and twiteous. iwe chimbuya uzakauka liti. wagona ngatigalu nawe. Mpulungu by-election come we see the PF:-?:-?:-?

  14. #15 if he had nothing with mpombo, why Lucy her counter part is not arrested and demoted from her post, because she has a similar case as well. How long did it take for mpombo to appear at the courts of law or the police station? Do not think you reason while your logic is outdated ngwele iwe. Zambian law and police are used as weapons against anti RB. wabipa kumwenu iwe,

  15. #15 If you don’t fear and ashamed of what is happening in Zambia then you are heartless or insene my dear. Because there is great shame and ridiculous manchaverican or Jacobean rule of error. those who criticise the RB government are is enemies, only people like u are his friend, shame on u

  16. #15 Mr. Capitalist – 3 E’s steering economic growth….am not a PF blogger, never has been BUT then my freind on this one, that was below par for the President here is why:

    1. RB said ‘I am not in charge of the police’ has he forgotten that he is the commander in chief of the defence forces of Zambia. RB is the chief Soldier, he is the Chief Cop, chief Airman and Chief ZNS whatever they do.
    2. RB at a recent rally in Chifubu announced PUBLICLY that he had instructed the Police to release the PF cadres who were arrested for allegedly blocking the VEEP. If he is not in charge of the police, where did he get the power to ‘instruct’ them?
    3. RB ordered that the female POST reporter be arrested for distributing pornographic materials and it was so!

    We expect sound statements from…

  17. if you see a President start wear army uniforms just know that power is really getting to his head. It is up to the Zambian people to stand up and fight remember we fought hard to remove Unip out power.

  18. “How long did it take for mpombo to appear at the courts of law or the police station?”

    @ #18 kaka’

    Mr. Mpombo was reported to the police on Jan 6th 2010 as reported on LT under the story Findlay drags Mpombo to police over bounced cheque. Madam Lucy Changwe was reported to the police on July 27th 2010 as reported in the Times of Zambia under the story Police Open Docket for Changwe.

    As for the length of time it took Mr. Mpombo to appear in the courts in comparison with Madam Changwe, I leave that to you to assess in accordance with the dates Mr. Mpombo and Madam Changwe were reported to the police.

    Now where is your evidence that links Pres. Rupiah Banda to this case?

  19. “1. RB said ‘I am not in charge of the police’ has he forgotten that he is the commander in chief of the defence forces of Zambia. RB is the chief Soldier, he is the Chief Cop, chief Airman and Chief ZNS whatever they do.”

    From wikipedia, A commander-in-chief is the commander of a nation’s military forces or significant element of those forces. In the latter case, the force element may be defined as those forces within a particular region or those forces which are associated by function. As a practical term it refers to the military competencies that reside in a nation-state’s executive, head of state or government

    Commander in chief of the armed forces and not the cops. Where in the constitution does it state the president is the chief cop?

  20. “2. RB at a recent rally in Chifubu announced PUBLICLY that he had instructed the Police to release the PF cadres who were arrested for allegedly blocking the VEEP. If he is not in charge of the police, where did he get the power to ‘instruct’ them?”

    The Prerogative of Mercy – empowers the President to grant to a convicted person, a state pardon either conditionally or otherwise, or grant a respite of the execution of punishment imposed, or substitute a less severe punishment.

  21. 3. RB ordered that the female POST reporter be arrested for distributing pornographic materials and it was so!

    The state sued the female POST reporter and not the President.

  22. But ba Mr Capitalist you just here to annoy tefyo?You are one hell of a M-a-th-er f-u-c-k-e-r. You always come up with the most s-t-u-p-i-d angles. You twisted j-e-r-k.

  23. 23, 24, 25 Mr. Capitalist – 3 E’s steering economic growth…with due respect, if you want to respond to me, dont answer like you are responding to a naive person. So here we go on your responces;

    #23. When RB goes for police pass-outs, what uniform does he wear and what rank is on it? The term ‘Defence Forces’ refers to units of govt that defend the country. Soldiers/ZAF deal with external threats while Police are for internal security thats why they fall under home affairs. You dont need wikipedia for this.

    #24…The president can only pardon someone if they are CONVICTED not before. If he does it before conviction, its called obstruction of justice and its illegal. If its done after its prerogative of mercy! You read your own responce it so clear I wonder how you missed it.

  24. #25. Did you miss the news item where RB was PUBLICLY stating that the Post reporter should be charged? When you give responses like ‘The state sued the female POST reporter and not the President’ what do you take other people for? imbeciles or what? Like I said, if you want to respond to my comments, you need to summon your mental faculties and think through your responses not this gibberish you are giving me like you blogging with an illiterate.

    I support when RB does something just like I was happy with Felix Mutati’s recent USA performance. But when needs calls, we must call a spade a spade not a big spoon. Spin as you want, RB got it wrong on this one and its embarrassing!

  25. #s 22, 23, 24, 25, Mr. Capitalist: I sometimes enjoy your comments but I think your reasoning today falls short!!
    1) The Prerogative of Mercy is invested in the president only in instances where their is a prosecution, a court judgement, and a conviction. Not when there is only accusations like in the Chifubu case—read the constitution, sir!
    2) The constitution being the supreme law of the land and by virtue of RB having taken an oath to defend, protect and, I should add, obey it, that makes him the “top cop” and law enforcer in the country. Get it?!
    3) Did you really expect the case against Kabwela to state: Rupiah Vs Kabwela/The Post? Are you kidding me?!

    Presidential “pronouncements” are as good as an indictment, sir. Evidence is there to back my point—-PEACE!

  26. Pandapa 26#

    It says a lot about you. Have tried to M-a-th-er f-u-c-k-e-r your mother?. Dude just debate with wisdom & intelligence.

    If you do not like the opinion from others, just counter attack back with Good Valid Points. Using that language describes a lot about your up bringing… It’s been a good debate so far, until you displayed your filthy

  27. #29 Yambayamba….thanks my brother/sister….we are on the same page. This Mr. Capitalist and other MMD spin doctors sometimes they have good arguments but they let down their inteligence and pride when they have to defend against their will things which are not defendable. When RB or MMD goes wrong, instead of defending at all costs, these gallant men would do good to advise the President or who ever they have access to. Not all bloggers here are semi illiterates who can be cowed by twisted analyses.

    RB was wrong on this one and thats it! Just like he is wrong in ever travelling out of the Country.

  28. YAMONEKE NCITO KU MPULUNGU BA PF, AGAIN. POKENI MMD SIT KU MPULUNGU. BALI MUCIBE BAKABOLALA ABA BA MMD. ITS A SHAME. HOW DO WE START EXPORTING PATIENTS AS FAR AS INDIA FOR GOD’S SAKE? MORE THAN 40 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE, SURE! NAWAKWI, UBEFYE BWINO NOMBA. DON’T GET USED BY PEOPLE WHO HAVE PROMISED TO RAPE YOU- MMDies. PABWATOOOOO, AGAIN.

  29. #11 NICE ONE:d
    Sometimes he does not even know where he is when he wakes up!

    FUNNY INDEED YOU MADE ME LAUGH ANYWAY !:d\:d/:d

  30. Mpombo is an innocent man who is being crucified for saying and doing what is right. The real criminals who should be in jail, and who one day will be in jail, are those who have connived to rob him of his liberty in an attempt to politically and otherwise incapacitate him.

    But as he himself has said, he will truly be back – it gets dark sometimes, but the morning comes. Don’t you surrender. Suffering breeds character. Character breeds faith. In the end, faith will not disappoint. We must never surrender.

  31. For those behind robbing Mpombo of his freedom using the state power that they control, we can only remind them that the exercise of power must be the constant practice of self-limitation and modesty. What they are doing to Mpombo will soon backfire, will soon boomerang.

  32. It is very clear to every honest person in this country that the administration of justice is tilted against those who are seen to be opponents or enemies of those in power. There’s no proper justice for those who are not on the side of Rupiah, his government and the ruling MMD. This is what the great majority of our people feel. But this is dangerous for the country. Increasingly, the administration of justice in this country is being seen to be a farce, a joke, an injustice.

    Mpombo is not a criminal but an honest man who is being persecuted for exercising his democratic right to question, criticise and denounce the utterances and the actions of Rupiah and his friends. This is the only crime Mpombo has committed.

  33. ‘Mr. Capitalist – 3 E’s steering economic growth’ is no other than ka Nevers Sekwila Sangwapo Mumba’ When the opposition comes to power, we will charge for the fuel you wasted getting your driver to drive crosscountry from Ottawa to receive you in Vancouver. Ala, ka Sekwila iwe, kanshi ubupuba bobe bukapwa lilali!

  34. RB has nothing to do with whatever happens in Zambia. He comes to Zambia to visit then goes back home abroad. If it was something to do with any other country other than Zambia I would have accused him too.

  35. #15, the statement from 14 makes a lot of sense for me. shes saying the government is a useless one in short…..DUMB AND DUMBER

  36. You know they are lying. I am not in charge of the police, I am not in charge of the judiciary and I did not even follow his case,” he said
    Surely? But last week you instructed the police to release the PF chaps who had interfered with VP Kunda’s motorcade. Please HE sometimes its better not to respond.

  37. ‘I am not inchage of the Police”
    But the same man ordered the release of the guys that blocked George Kunda. How do you reconcile this?

  38. Surely I agree RB doesn’ intervene in every issue because he has very limited time whenever he visits the Zambia from his home abroad. but remember he has been visiting at a critical time to influence the justice. he ahs been in the kabwela case, Mpombo case and the arrest & the subsequent release of PF cadres. Surely some bloggers are bent on defending the indefendable. They can even try to defend when MMD kill the innocent babies. Shame! It is like trying to protect the Devil, no matter how you try to protect and sugar-coat- he will remain the evil.

  39. Mpombo has RBs Administration right where he wants them. He is enjoying every minute of this drama. But, if he thinks it will make a hero of him, he is mistaken. There are better ways of doing it than a bounced cheque. Just my opinion by the way. I think there are people who deserve a following in Zambia, not……
    Besides, what kind of example is he setting to the young ones by going to prison wearing a big smile and holding his head high? Since when did going to prison become a delight?

  40. OK, so I was away because I had other things to do. I will still post my comments anyway.

    #23. When RB goes for police pass-outs, what uniform does he wear and what rank is on it? The term ‘Defence Forces’ refers to units of govt that defend the country. Soldiers/ZAF deal with external threats while Police are for internal security thats why they fall under home affairs. You dont need wikipedia for this.

    And that is true. The police do fall under the internal security forces. But you are accusing the president of interfering with the police duty of which you are supposed to provide evidence to back up such a claim. Did Mr. Mpombo issue a bad cheque or not? was he reported to the police or not? Is it a crime to issue a bad cheque or not? How did the president interfere?

  41. “The president can only pardon someone if they are CONVICTED not before. If he does it before conviction, its called obstruction of justice and its illegal. If its done after its prerogative of mercy! You read your own responce it so clear I wonder how you missed it. “

    The case concerning the PF cadres is a case that can be handled by a lower court than the magistrate. Lower courts than the magistrate operate faster mostly because they don’t deal with larger cases. The case concerning the PF cadres must have already been handled by lower courts.

  42. “Did you miss the news item where RB was PUBLICLY stating that the Post reporter should be charged?”

    President Rupiah Banda is the president of the state. The state dragged the Post reporter to the police. From there, Madam Kabwela was sued by the state and the state lost against Madam Kabwela.

  43. Politics in general are s.t.u.p.i.d and more so in Z, to a point of nauseating. This is even more evident at the very highest level. How such inconsistency can exhibited by a president is beyond me. The President is on record as having ordered the release of opposition PF cadres for some offenses during the just ended by-elections with a view to win votes when he showed this ‘compassion’. Now in the case of Mpombo the same President has no knowledge or power to intervene or ensure there is no selective justice in the Mpombo & Mrs Changwe check bouncing issues currently in the domain. I feel embarrassed to be associated with Z. Can this episode pass quickly so that I can start to feel good about my m/land. Can’t 2014 come soon enough for Z to win the the World Cup for me to be proud…

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