Responding to statements made this week by the Secretary General of the Patriotic Front political party Wynter Kabimba, lawyer Robert Amsterdam has stated that the ruling party’s harassment of legal counsel stands as proof of the political motivations behind the Zambian government’s allegations concerning Henry Banda.
“Based on this slew of attacks against Mr. Banda and myself unleashed by the ruling party, it is now clear beyond the shadow of a doubt that these allegations are entirely political,” said Mr. Amsterdam of Amsterdam & Peroff LLP, who represents both the former president and his son.
Mr. Amsterdam also noted that the persecution of Mr. Banda is occurring in the context of nationwide crackdown on the political opposition, aimed at eliminating their ability to compete in future elections. The cases undertaken against political figures often take place outside the formal structure of the court system, said Amsterdam. “Mr. Kabimba is misinformed concerning the issue of judicial independence in Zambia. There are many independent and prestigious judges, prosecutors, and jurists in Zambia. But that’s exactly why much of what we are seeing takes place outside the judiciary, with handpicked Commissions of Inquiry led by politically biased chairpersons, who are publicly scolded if their reports do not produce the desired results,” Amsterdam said.
“The reason Mr. Kabimba is attacking me is because it is the Patriotic Front who have ‘cried havoc’ and ‘let slip the dogs of war’ when they unlawfully seized many of the MMD’s vehicles, opened up absurd cases with no evidence, and put Zambia on the road back to a one-party state with the attempted de-registration of their main opponent. This is what happens when the separation of powers breaks down and the constitution is ignored.”
During a press conference held on April 17th, Kabimba denounced Henry Banda’s legal counsel as a “dog of war” and a “mercenary.” Mr. Kabimba also derided Mr. Amsterdam as “wild” and “emotionally charged,” and then ominously warned that “he ought to be extremely careful with the manner he utters statements for the sake of protecting his client.”
“It is highly irregular and prejudicial for any government official to comment on unproven allegations against a citizen, and even more so for Mr. Kabimba to do so in his capacity as the representative of the party, not the administration,” said Mr. Amsterdam. “Henry Banda has done absolutely nothing wrong, and has not been charged, tried, or even officially informed as to the nature of allegations against him, and yet the government defames him and his lawyer in the press every day. There is no rule-of-law court in the world that would consider extraditing Mr. Banda following such persecutory statements from Mr. Kabimba.”
Amsterdam & Peroff LLP along with law firm Brian Kahn Inc of Johannesburg, South Africa represent the Former President Rupiah Banda and his son Henry Banda. The legal team is in the process of presenting appeals before the relevant international bodies to expose the unlawful conduct undertaken by the current administration against the political opposition.
whose ths moron kanshi,cant he wait until that henry thing is in court?
Whatever his shortcomings are this Amsterdam fellow is right on the the question of orchestrated commissons of inquiry and the unbecoming behaviour by Wynter Kabimba to usurp the functions of the Chief Govn spokesperson, the Minister of Justice and the Attorney General. Commissions of Inquiry that come up with findings not tying up with expectations of the appointing authority are rubbished at the time of presentation of the executive summary of their report, ie, before contents of the entire document are consumed by cabinet. As for Wynter’s antics they are not only a confirmation that the chap has not really been weaned off the one-party-state mentality but that his training as a legal proffessional was a waste of resources.
@Bashi Kay, and fellow cadres, ‘the moron’ is called a defense lawyer building his case and looking after his clients interest in the real and civilised world (totally unfamiliar I suppose). Wait for the case to be in court? No one waited to issue ‘red alert’ sans charges and label one a fugitive so tell that to Wynter, Fred Mmembe, Shamenda, Daily Mail etc. Popcorn Please!!!!
Why is Amsterdam responding & attacking politicians then? And MR. Amsterdam is ill-informed that Wynter Kabimba is part of government, he is running the PF.
Lets see if Attorney General of Zambia has balls to sue a so called MR Amsterdam, because has has seriously accused of government being corrupt and interfering in judicial system. Those can be treasonous charges from my law books.
Please get a copy (and read) the PF constitution to see the role of PF in goverment in black and white. Also to prove that this is in motion refer to Kabimba and other PF leaders latest explations OR outbursts about the SG or ‘PFs position’ on this and other cases, also his lead role on COIs. all this free evidence ‘in any law book’ mon amie –
Is it PF party or PF govt that is looking for Banda? Why is Kabimba publicly persuing Banda if it is a govt issue?
Having lived in UK for 25 years, I am profoundly getting discouraged returning back to Zambia. This war of words between Kabimba and Henry’s lawyers is now getting out of control. Kabimba needs to set aside this to issue and allow the ACC, Investigative Teams and Courts to carry the day. Kabimba must concentrate on building the nation.
@5 Wise man….25 years away from Zed! Why would you want to get back to Zambia? Are you mssing something? The country has gone by without you. Let the country run…kaponya style. Isn’t that what you wanted when you opted to stay away and give the chance to them? Your cronies, the Kabimbas, HH’s, Sata’s and the like are profoundly happy when able bodied intelligent people like yourself, that can rule better, get holed up abroad. Rest assured that they will never do anything to profoundly encourage you to return to Zambia.
If I lived in another country for 25 years I doubt that I could get a full picture of what is really happening in my HOME country. I however who has been here for 25 years can see exactly what is coming. Mark my words, Henry wants to enter into politics. We have seen and heard these preparatory statements before. Muzaona.
Wow! Thats a whole new angle that most of us havent even thought about – totally plausible too! Please expand. very interesting and clever note!!
Winter Kabimba is head of PF Party not a Minister representing the government, unless the government puts it clear that he is a minister without portifolio and speaks on behalf of the government. Why can’t Winter just shut up his mouth and let the people dealing with this case deal with it peacefully. He is not mature in the governance issues and emotional. Phil
4# IYE NAPAPA
It was my decision. I came to the UK in the 80’s with parents. My dad was doing ACCA and worked for Deloitte in UK. I did my O’Levels, A’levels in UK. Then First Degree, Master Degree, PHD and I work as a University Lecture earning £65 per year. You see, education pays off. If you have good qualifications, you can work in any part of the world. We have many zambians with good paying jobs in UK. I thank my parents for educating me.
I travel to Zambia at least twice a year to see my parents. I don’t need to be in zambia to know what is going. We are not in the dark age. We are in the Information & Media Age.
# IYE NAPAPA
Sorry, I meant £65K per year. And what about you, what do you do? Never make blind assumptions on people you don’t know.
What’s the source of this story ba LT?
Party and its Govt, back to UNIP way of governing teh country. That’s why Wynter Kabimba is behaving like this. Did MMD party secretary operate like that, no. Kabimba will end up tarnishing the image of PF, even that of the govt.
There is no image to tarnish actually. Maggots are what they are. They are dirty. It is the same with these primitive thugs you have for a gov’t.
Both sides need to chill until there is something to really fight about. Leave the opposing commentaries to bloggers whose arena allows for speculation and alternative views. You two will both damage each other at the expense of a nation of people who expect these matters to be handled professionally. Quit whining Amsterdam. You’ve thrown a few good punches yourself with the biggest yet to come. Quit spewing statements Kabimba. Your government is already aligning itself yards away so you can be later presented as a political rebel on your party’s solo mission. Keep blogging bloggers. The floor is yours :)
Kabimba,for lack of beta words,is undresg our zed before da world!Those doin busnes in zed cn all tell u ati things r hard!It apears like pipo r jst scared of loosg eitha their property or money coz dez no respect for da rule of law!where r we goin kanshi?
Kabimba is a cadre because an learned lawyer can not behave the way Kabimba is behaving.You know that also PF Leader Michael Sata has allowed Kabimba to behave the way is doing.Under normal circumstance the PF NEC should have repreminded Kabimba just like other parties used to do.Kabimba wants to behave like in UNIP era of Grey Zulu, late Mainza Chona, Late Hamphrey Mulemba who were party secretary Generals but the difference is these were operating under the republican Constitution on One party State democracy which many Zambian fought hard to remove in 1991 to bring in mult party democrancies.Under the present constitution there is no difference between MMD and UPND National Secretaries and the of PF Secretary General .They are all at the same level.
The PF manifesto has nothing to do with the laws of Zambia.PF is just like a club which is regestered under the society act like rotary Club or Lions Club.So Zambians should not fear what Kabimba is doing.This is the begining of the demise of PF. Zambians are now mature and they know the bahaviour od these laeders.Who knew that the MMD will be removed from power but because of arogance like the way Kabimba they are now of power.Power is sweet but is not permanent.
Un my view, Amsterdam is making a lot of noise and wild claims, essentially throwing about red herrings, to distract attention from real issues and to try and confuse his opponents in the hope of derailing the state from the pusuit of Henry’s case. But if he is so convinced that Henry committed no offence, why doesn’t he advise him to come and face the accusations here? Then Amsterdam can argue the case in court rather than making wild claims and noises outside of court. That is so suspect!
My current favorite Amsterdam statement is the claim of persecution of RB over MMD deregistration. I hope he finds enough evidence to haul this shameless persecutor in to court to take the fullest responsibility. That undemocratic person should be shamed for persecuting RB by not making payments to the registrar of societies :)