By Rev K.Kaoma
The selective application of the law under President Sata’s administration is nerve-wracking. Zambia is a democracy and not the “animal farm,” in which citizens are treated differently based on their socio-economic and political status. In a democracy, nobody is above the law. Yet recent events in the country show that our country is slowly sliding into the animal farm state.
Let me make my point. Last month, Rosemary Mwasakandu was arrested for holding multiple citizenship contrary to section 55 of the Immigration and Deportation Act. Magistrate Willie Banda denied Rosemary bail and reminded her at Chimbokaila. This month, President Sata appointed Professor Clive Chirwa as the head of Zambia Railways. The PF heralded the appointment as a sign of good leadership by the president. However, like Mwasakandu, Prof. Chirwa held dual citizenship – Zambian and British. But unlike Mrs Mwasakandu, he was not arrested.
Another case of animal farm has to do with fake qualifications. On Thursday July 28, 2012, the Anti-Corruption Commission arrested Danny Mulwanda of Kasama for using false documents contrary to Cap 87 of the Laws of Zambia. Danny’s case reminds us of the corrupt Henry Kapoko, whose wife, Mary Mwamba, was arrested for forging a grade 12 statement of results in 2009. Yet president Sata saw nothing wrong in appointing Stephen Masumba as minister of North Western Province at the time when his academic credentials are being challenged in the court of law. These two cases simply illustrate president Sata’s lack of ethical judgment and seriousness in fighting corruption in the nation.
Let me remind the president that he was elected to uphold our constitution. As a Christian, he promised to rule the country by 10 commandments – pledging to fight all forms of corruption and injustices. Sadly within one year, those promises have totally evaporated and faded – turning our beloved nation into the animal farm – where our constitution is replaced by one fundamental rule – ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL BUT SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS.[pullquote]I submit, we have some bad laws in our nation and dual citizenship is just one of them. I would have no problem if all Zambians were not prosecuted for such crimes. That the poor people are imprisoned for violating such laws while well-connected individuals are given a pass is deplorable, immoral and unjust at its worst. [/pullquote]
Regardless of our political affiliations, Professor Chirwa broke the law of Zambia. In fact, had he sided with Nevers Mumba’s MMD or HH’s UPND, Prof. Chirwa would be caged by now. It is disheartening that for sometime now,our freedoms are no longer determined not by the constitution of the land but by our political affiliations and social status. For this reason, I have misgivings about the PF government’s commitment to fighting corruption in the nation. I am sure I am not alone.
Please don’t misunderstand me. I have nothing against Professor Chirwa. I believe he is qualified to head Zambia Railways. In fact, unlike President Sata, I want Zambia to legalize dual citizenship. After all, my children hold American citizenship and I would love to call them Zambians one day. But my problem is simply this – why is Prof. Chirwa treated as a sacred cow when other Zambians are forced into dirty prisons for the same crime? Only the animal farm metaphor can provide the explanation – not all citizens are equal in Sata’s Zambia. Honestly, I can sympathize with Mrs Mwasakandu over Professor Chirwa. Dr. Chirwa is well vested with the laws of Zambia and knowingly broke it. So to give him a pass is just erroneous and an insult to democracy.
We all know that Dr. Chirwa campaigned for President Sata in 2011. In this case, it is payback time. However, the PF government is not the law of the land – our constitution is. The PF administration should not ride on the bandwagon of “the rule of law” while applying it selectively. So unless section 55 of the Immigration and Deportation Act is unconstitutional, Sata’s government owes the people of Zambia an explanation as to why Prof. Chirwa is not arrested. But since Zambia police aid the cult of the president, Mrs Mwasakandu is a criminal while Prof. Chirwa is clean.
On the moral front, for Mr. Sata to uphold Chirwa’s appointment – knowing too well that he held dual citizenship says much about the president’s judgement and character. If Sata allowed the law to take its course, many of us would have taken his pledge to fight corruption seriously. Alas, he sings anti-corruption songs only when it fits him. I submit, we have some bad laws in our nation and dual citizenship is just one of them. I would have no problem if all Zambians were not prosecuted for such crimes. That the poor people are imprisoned for violating such laws while well-connected individuals are given a pass is deplorable, immoral and unjust at its worst.
It is gravely depressing that in our country, some citizens are beyond the law. In fact, big fishes can do whatever they want without any fear of prosecution. It is for this reason that we Zambians should unite in rejecting the PF “animal farm” for democracy. Please let us put all our political and tribal differences aside and demand a Zambia where no person is above the law. Together we can make Zambia a better place for all – not just for the chosen few.
SELENI TUBOMBEKO BANE!
Indeed you’ve worked so hard to screw the agriculture and food security sector. You’re a clueless pack of Hyeana!
Seleni tubazeko
NO! IT IS HIS FOREST.
Ba Chirwa yanono nga baikelefye Zeeee!!!!!!!!!ukusabaila.When he wants to become President these issues will haunt him.And Sata is un predictable.What happens if he messes up and gets sacked?he will be a refugee.His being stateless will come to show.Tondolo musuma!
Thought I read somewhere that Prof Chirwa had given up his British Citizenship, or am I dreaming?
When did he do so? And how does one give up British citizenship? When did he apply to renounce Zambian citizenship? And when did he reapply to the Zambian citizenship Board to have his citizenship reinstated? Chirwa broke the law when he got a British passport without notifying Zambian authorities. He forfeited his Zambian citizenship on the date he acquired a British passport. He proceeded to travel repeatedly on a Zambian passport and to enter and exist Zambia on a passport he was no longer entitled to. Chirwa is a fraud and a criminal.
yes he did but the fact is he had two passports which is a crime…it doesnt matter wether u surrender the other or not..it is just a crime to have two or more citizenships
Its very unlikely this chap Chirwa has given up his british citizenship Who are they trying to hoodwink? The guy is so full of it. Its just unbelievable a pompous chap like him would give it all up. How he bragged about how much personal wealth he is giving up and all that crap is a clear indication he is full of nothing but hot. Real professionals worth their salt never brag. Just by looking at the goals he has set for himself in a poor country like Zambia begs the question, is he the specialist he claims to be and will he deliver?
Its very unlikely this chap Chirwa has given up his british citizenship Who are they trying to hoodwink? The guy is so full of it. Its just unbelievable a pompous chap like him would give it all up. How he bragged about how much personal wealth he is giving up and all that crap is a clear indication he is full of nothing but hot. Real professionals worth their salt never brag. Just by looking at the goals he has set for himself in a poor country like Zambia begs the question, is he the specialist he claims to be and will he deliver? /
Its very unlikely this chap Chirwa has given up his british citizenship Who are they trying to hoodwink? The guy is so full of it. Its just unbelievable a pompous chap like him would give it all up. How he bragged about how much personal wealth he is giving up and all that crap is a clear indication he is full of nothing but hot. Real professionals worth their salt never brag. Just by looking at the goals he has set for himself in a poor country like Zambia begs the question, is he the specialist he claims to be and will he deliver? //
Its very unlikely this chap Chirwa has given up his british citizenship Who are they trying to hoodwink? The guy is so full of it. Its just unbelievable a pompous chap like him would give it all up. How he bragged about how much personal wealth he is giving up and all that crap is a clear indication he is full of nothing but hot. Real professionals worth their salt never brag. Just by looking at the goals he has set for himself in a poor country like Zambia begs the question, is he the specialist he claims to be and will he deliver? //m
Its very unlikely this chap Chirwa has given up his british citizenship Who are they trying to hoodwink? The guy is so full of it. Its just unbelievable a pompous chap like him would give it all up. How he bragged about how much personal wealth he is giving up and all that crap is a clear indication he is full of nothing but hot. Real professionals worth their salt never brag. Just by looking at the goals he has set for himself in a poor country like Zambia begs the question, is he the specialist he claims to be and will he deliver? //m
Nomba ninshi…..ichailenifye
nice one
Guy Scott,Dipak Patel, Simon Zukas.check their record
Okay…what are we checking for though? How many times they used a particular word,or perhaps you mean to imply they hold dual passports. Maybe you forgot to complete your sentence; it’s pretty important to be thorough and not assume that you have fully explained your point.
Don’t expect sane decisions from Sata . He is Amin II.
# % Yes professor Chirwa is no longer a british citizen he gave that up.So as at now he is Zambian.
he is stateless you fool……..didnt u do some civics? You immediately seeze to be zambia once you obtain another citizenship and now he has given up on british passport meaning he is stateless
Not just like that. He has to apply to be a Zambian citizen. His “birthright” does not count under Zambian Law.
Once he has applied for citizenship, just as any other foreigner, he will have to wait for the Citizenship Board to grant him the status, if they refuse to give him citizenship, he will be stateless if he has already given up his British citizenship.
Only the President can exercise powers vested in his Office to give Chirwa a citizenship for good and convincing reasons, etc.
King Don mbo-lo yako chikala.Cant u just contribute with cursing ?
We are in shiiiiiiiiiiiiit and there is another 4years to endure
Are people that dumb that the only argument they have is “seleni tubombeko”
stop boring us with innuendos,the man said he had given up his British citizenship,what more do you want. UPND mentality always jealous
Do you have a proof to that? Am sure you more jealousy yourself. Why do think other people or organization are jealousy- Its because you are, but remember one thing Zambia is for us all. Some people are sick especially those that voted for this Govt proudly- its good we suffering together.
@ Mo taim. Exactly! So what is this Rev blabbering about?
Prof Chirwa, whether certain people like it or not is not the right person to run ZR. He may have a lot of paper qulifications in the ‘wrong’ fields which do not stand him in good stead to personnaly run an organisazion like ZR. The fact that he is involved so many irrevant activities is an indicationthat he is out of touc with reality. There is no aeronautical or space science involved in running ZR. Prof Chirwa would do better as Chancellor of CBU.
Like there is Aeronautical science at CBU Lol
Ngombe ilede….
These issues are not only in Zambia, anywhere in the World it’s how well connected you are that helps, however, l agree with the author, the country is headed for doom, the problem is that nothing can be done about it we just have to endure our folly of having elected an experimental team into government.
Seleni tubombeko!!!
These matters needs trough clarifications to the general citizens otherwise they back fire at one .
Hopefully there will be no cry of victimization when legal issues begins to be raised against some people. These things don’t seem so when you are in power as all is rose but there will come a day of reckoning which many of us don’t like. Take this as a timely warning or leave it. The wise have spoken here.
Prof.Chirwa should be caged because he has been entering Zambia using Zambian Passport whilst holding British Passport. Sata will one day account for this,this is impunity.Lets respect Law.
Animal farm indeed, calling others tribalists when you have your own Forrest as cabinet, aresting others as alarmist when your own mulamu, a full minister was alarming the nation about monies in circulation and your nephew alarming the nation about a hoax assassination plot. the list can go on and on…
I like this one!
And if this is not agony..then I don’t know what is!….
Get ur facts straight. The law says when u assume a different nationality u automatically lose zambian citizenship. And to become a zambian u have to renounce the citizenship u currently hod & have to apply to be granted zambian citizenship. The law says Chirwa is not a zambian!
Hatwiinke ku munzi nkubotu. tiyeni che tikalime kumunzi. blurblurblur ifinshi just shut up
Pro Chirwa himself told the nation early this week that he has renounced his British citizenship but many will doubt the authenticity of this. Only the professor and the president know the truth.
Quite honestly there is a lot we don’t know regarding this issue, only time will tell.
Reverend, Please identify yourself, are you a Zambian, a Reverend, a Journalist a politician in disguise or an innuendo in the making
You articles are anti the president and unless you balance your act, you are clearing opening a can of worm for yourself
I maybe the only one seeing through you, better article though than the previous one. Keep up the good work
If you want to count the people that haven’t read your article and are simply commenting, look out for people. 75% of these comment are empty and irrelevant, read through them.
Who moronically accept it as a good article without explaining why.
I know I am hard to please, but then again I am a PhD student
Thanks
A dull PhD student whose only accreditation is in your imagination
PhD in CIMA Mushota you a fool.
Mushota, I am Zambian, a Reverend in the Anglican Diocese of Central Zambia, Ndola, and hold a PhD from Boston University, but not a Journalist or politician. By the way, I am will be presenting an Africa Talk lecture at London School of Economics in March. You are invited.
I will need more details Dr
Keep up the good work, I will have to ask my other half Nick.
Thanks
The lecture will be on March 6, 2013.
Get ur facts straight. The law says when u assume a different nationality u automatically lose zambian citizenship. And to become a zambian u have to renounce the citizenship u currently hold & have to apply to be granted zambian citizenship. The law says Chirwa is not a zambian!
Present Zambia = Animal farm.
ALA BANE IF ONLY YOU KNEW HOW MANY OF YOUR WELL MEANING BROTHERS & SISTERS HAVE BEEN FORCED TO LIVE A LIE ALL BECAUSE OF THIS IRRELEVANT DUAL CITIZENSHIP LAW! CAN’T THE PRESIDENT ISSUE A DEGREE TO SUSPEND IT PENDING REVOCATION? SO FAR AS I’M CONCERNED WE HAVE NEVER NEEDED IT!
So you believed him when he spoke about fighting corruption? thats Ukwa for you, the man is a lier, dont expect anything from him apart from drama.
rev K. Kaoma you are talking on issure you are not competent, chirwa has not hidden that has british citizenship and you are comparing with one who has two and hid them then is caught and charged. president sata appointed chirwa because because believes can do the job not becaus is a zambia is just like can appoint an person zambian or foreign for job. Be clear why you find appointment faulty. is any law which says can appoint a foreign rev this law not the bible
@Opness,
You have tried to reason but you did not go far enough. If you have read and understood the article you will, no doubt, see that the Rev appears competent and has some firm grounds. Chirwa is a dishonest criminal in that he continued to hold a Zambian passport when he was not entitled to it (after acquiring British nationality). That’s what the laws of Zambia say. He also hid this fact until he was appointed to the post at ZRL and its not about how many passports you have aquired. I am sure even Mrs Mwasakunda would have given up the other passports had she been offered such an opportunity.
You have not understood the article. In simple English the rev. Is saying, why are Zambians not linked to Sata being arrested? The Professor has even publicly acknowledged that he has committed a crime. What is the DPP, AG and minister of justice doing about this? Why are they not withdrawing the other cases?
Justice for all, no nepotism, no corruption in Zambia!!!
Thanks Sam for understanding my point. We need justice for all Zambians!
BEING CIVIL SERVANTS SLAVERLY AND IN PRISON.PLIZ GUYZ MAKAMAKA UNEMPLOYED YOUTHS SPEAK FOR US.WE CAN ONLY BE OUTSPOKEN NGA TWACHITA QUIT JOB.SPEAK BUT PLIZ DON’T INSULT NO MATTER HOW BITTER YOU ARE.GOOD LUCKY!!!!!!!!!!!
PF you should be a listening govt, ask the prof to do what the law requires, unlike ignoring details,Welcome prof Chirwa please sort out the issues at ZRL, even reposes the land in front of the rail station and give it to intercity to provide loading space for buses,PF what are you building at intercity’s already small space?when you are giving indians plot space againest commuters,please wake up…
Sata is president yes, BUT DONT BE OVER EXITED. he is entitled to errors, (SELENIKO TUBOMBEKO) foolish.
hey talk with some knowledge people im British ex Zambian, when u wanna give up British citizenship u fill in anapplication form call RN and once ur appliction is successful you will receive a declaration of renunciation from home office, prof, Chirwa need to show the declaration other wise he still hold dual, he isnt that daft to play in the hands of Sata . SHOW US DECLARATION OF RENUNCIATION.
Many people are missing the point of my article. My point is that we should not place double standard on our people. Let us repeal bad laws for all not just for the chosen few.
Does anyone know for sure that Prof. Chirwa entered the country using a Zambian passport? Could be he was entering Zambia as a Briton,,,,just a thought
He couldn’t possibly have entered Zambia as a British citizen. My reasoning is that he could not have offered himself for a Presidential position. Think back to the months/year prior to the 2011 General Elections.
As someone has said here, the government should repeal the dual citizenship law, etc.
We warned you about the character, morality, reputation, testimonies, competency and last desire of now president Michael Chilufya Sata. Does Zambia deserve his leadership or another Zambian would do better?
That depends on who.
Definately another zambian would do better than this homo erectus in state hse.
nice post with great information
You are the dull ones that accept everything you are told by your pf god without using your reasoning that’s the problem with you *****s who are cadres and those that are cadre minded all of you whether MMD UPND or this last one which is the worst of the worst pf fail to reason you worship these dull old men and make them small gods that even if you see stupid dull policy’s you blindly follow or when pf does a dull move which they do everyday anyway, you ll support that’s dullness