STATE House has described as baseless allegations by former task force on corruption chairman Maxwell Nkole that President Banda interferes with the delivery of justice in Zambia.
President Banda’s special assistant for press and public relations Dickson Jere said in a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday that the allegation is not only demeaning to the President, but insulting to the judiciary.
He was reacting to allegations in yesterday’s Post that Mr Banda interferes with the delivery of justice.
Mr Jere said President Banda strongly believes in the doctrine of separation of powers which underpins the independence of the judiciary from the other two arms of Government – executive and legislature.
“Mr Nkole should avail himself with the necessary evidence before releasing false and libelous statements to the media,” he said.
Mr Jere said at no time did President Banda promise to terminate former Minister of Finance Katele Kalumba’s corruption cases in return for political support in Chiengi.
“Likening the case of Dr Kalumba to that of the second Republican President, Dr Frederick Chiluba, is doing an injustice to the memory of Dr Chiluba. The nation is currently mourning Dr Chiluba and dragging his name in the mud, as Mr Nkole and others are trying to do, is an affront to our culture and traditions in Zambia. Let us mourn Dr Chiluba in peace and dignitiy,” he said.
Mr Jere said for the record, Dr Chiluba faced the courts of law and was acquitted on corruption charges by the High Court not President Banda.
He said the President does not appeal acquittal cases to a higher court.
Mr Jere said the constitution of the Republic of Zambia is very clear on the appeal process.
“The director of public prosecutions is empowered to appeal to a higher court, based on his legal opinion.
The courts have convicted and sentenced some of the President’s political colleagues. The conviction of Dr Solomon Musonda,former Health Deputy Minisiter, is one example which demonstrates the independence of the courts,” he said.
Some former service and security chiefs have also been convicted and at no time did the President attempt to reverse these convictions, he said.
The accused have defended themselves in court and have, in some cases, been aquitted,” he said.
Mr Jere said Mr Nkole is a bitter and frustrated man who tends to blame his failure to run the disbanded task force on corruption on other people.
“As a former police officer, he must understand that Zambia is one of the few African countries which have upheld the independence of the Judiciary. Mr Nkole should learn to respect the courts of law. But it is up to the Judiciary to defend itself from such accusations,” Mr Jere said.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
Speaking in an interview on behalf of all the village headmen in the district, George Chanda who is headman Kasoma and serves as an Induna to chief Puta said President Banda had betrayed the people of Chiengi by abandoning his promise to free Kalumba.
Surely,why didnt Dickson Jere rebutt this earlier statement from George Chanda? Nkole is just making an observation to what somebody (George Chanda) claimes to have been promised by RB
What surprisrssurprises me is the use of words bitter, frustrated, broke etc on whoever criticised tells Emperor Rupiah that he is naked. The truth of the matter is that the citizens have not seen the fabulous suit that Dick Jere, Dollar Sillier, Moses Muteteka and Ronald Shikapwasha are telling him he is wearing. As citizens, we are seeing his crown jewels hanging out.
Nkole looks like a Sangoma’s helper. You know, the one who slaughters the white chicken
The President can only free a person on the exercise of his prerogative of mercy. Dr Kalumba was convicted and should have gone to prison, and AT THAT point and THAT point alone, could the President have freed him. Many convicts have been freed through this way. HOWEVER, Dr Kalumba APPEALED against his conviction in order to prove his innocence. The Chief Puta should take issue with Dr Kalumba because the President has NO POWER to free an innocent man, only the courts can. I am amazed that Lawyers, blinded by their desire to see RB fall, are publishing these lies knowing fully well that the President who respects the Judiciary, does not interfere with due process. As for the DPP, the law empowers any citizen to petition him if there is misconduct. Why can’t LAZ do that?
How many times has LAZ called for the resignation of the same DPP over the same case? Grow up!
#4 The Saint
You are missing the point,as much as you would want us to believe that the judiciary is free,the issue here is that the president promised some chiefs in Chiyengi that he would free Kalumba at some stage.This fact has not been disputed and these chiefs are standing on this promise the president made.Kalumba is not so stupid to go ahead with his appeal knowing very well that if he went to prison he would eventually be freed by the president.Come now,dont try to be smart here
@5 Smoothcriminal
Put yourself in Katele’s shoes. If you knew that you were innocent, what would you like? To be freed by Presidential prerogative and walk about in the world with the tag of thief or prove your innocence? Dr Chiluba was NEVER conviceted of the criminal offence of theft, but fraud and was acquitted of theft and yet he still carried the tag of thief to his grave. I believe that Dr Kalumba is innocent and I think he has every right to fight his corner. Levi promised to drop charges against Dr Chiluba ‘if he returns just half of what he stole.’ Nobody, at that time accused him of interfering with justice.We expect that RB is the same. He is not and I know that he is determined to let the different arms of govt work independently. Time will prove him so.
If Judges pass judgements that are favourable to the government, they do so on their own terms: whether it is fear or favour, that is their own problem. You cannot blame the President for that. In 1968, the all white High Court freed 2 Portuguese spies. This was against Kaunda’s and his government’s will. UNIP Youth Service (the forerunners to yob cadres) attacked the Lusaka High Court. The Attorney General Skinner was appalled, the Judges resigned one by one and left the country, even though KK apologised. Powers are separated. Zambian law is highly regarded in the Commonwealth and there are several Zambian lawyers who are also admitted to the English bar. Let us not tarnish their image by rumour, falsehood and innuendo. We are not a banana republic.
Nkole is bitter man be strong and find something to do condemning others where theres no evidence is not good
The Saint
First off, i would never put myself into Kateles shoes,
Did RB make the promise to Chiyengi chiefs or NOT, if he did,then he has to stick to what he promised, if he did not,then the chiefs are lying thereby putting the presidents name into ridicule as someone who cannot be relied upon,simply put he lied to the chiefs,another question! why hasnt anyone come forward to dispel or rebutt the claims being made by the chiefs,yet Nkole who is just making a sincere observation based on what the chiefs are claiming is being crucified by Dickson Jere.Did he or did he NOT
The most common verbs i have read on LT are ‘deny’ and ‘refutes’ (“the policy refutes that…; “govenment refutes that…”; “MMD denies…..”; ) and today they added ‘rebuts’. kanshi kulakana kanafye – news ya pa Zed
This Nkole is a confused fellow, how on earth would anyone want to make news out of him?
for sure Justice is RBs puppet !
that cheap shady president and his henchman Musokotwane the crook must be kicked out…
Time is running out… :-)
Max nkole u are a real survivor with leprosy, akashishi and others. keep queit and thank god
And you say this article came from state house itself, cmon guys yu can do better!!
#9 Smoothcriminal………………….You have NOT responded to what the saint has asked you. May be let me repeat the question……”Levy promised to free Chiluba if he brought back part of the money and nobody including yourself raised an issue that Levy is interfering with Judiciary, assume RB promised Katele that, how is Levy righteous than RB in this matter?” Be fair and impartial if you are to make a good citizen.
Did RB promise the people in Chiengi that he was going to free Kalumba? The Chief in Chiengi and his subjects say that RB did give them that promise. However, to date RB and his spokesman, Dick Jere, have not had the courage to refute the “claim”. Instead they are quick to condemn Nkole. RB and Jere should be bold enough and tell the people of Chiengi that they are telling lies if he (RB) did not give them that promise.
They dont have the balls to stand up against the chiefs!!
#16..Blue Blood……………….Yes RB promised Chiengi chiefs just like Levy promised Chiluba, SO WHAT????
Is the man in picture Zambian coz he looks like shaka actor!
Max is an interesting man his bitterness started with Chiluba who never appointed him IG of police..so he went into exile, but if you ever met him his story was always the same…when the TF was in trouble with the Tonga bull he rushed to take up office only to use it as a place to settle old scores we wish him well in retirement and may the Lord bless his path…
These clowns like to say our traditions and culture is corruption also your tradition and culture
Let the people speak!!
Ba LT, “Sate House rebuts Maxwell Nkole’s allegations”. I didn’t know State House is now Sate House!
#22, the name sata has really confused them now, how do you change state house to “sate” house?thinking and dreaming sata all the time!
Like God had said He would destroy the whole world by water, a day came when Noah and the rest saw rains for the very first time in life. I came so that a sinner may be redeemed, I will die and three days I will rise again. No disciple believed that or understood that but it came to pass. Authority comes from heaven, let justice prevail but also let promises come to pass.
Very good quality plus its even now in approach! I like this it obstructs direct sunlight perfectly I am going to certainly advise these.