Lifting of RB’s immunity a waste of time and public resources, I wont support it-KasenengwaMP

60
1050
President Michael Sata (left) shares a light moment with First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda and outgoing President Rupiah Banda at the inauguration ceremony in Lusaka
FILE: President Michael Sata (left) shares a light moment with First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda and outgoing President Rupiah Banda at the inauguration ceremony in Lusaka
President Michael Sata (left) shares a light moment with First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda and outgoing President Rupiah Banda at the inauguration ceremony in Lusaka
FILE: President Michael Sata (left) shares a light moment with First Republican President Kenneth Kaunda and outgoing President Rupiah Banda at the inauguration ceremony in Lusaka

Kasenengwa Member of Parliament Victoria Kalima has described intentions to lift the immunity of former President Rupiah Banda as shocking.

Ms Kalima told ZANIS in Chipata that the lifting of Mr Banda’s immunity would be a waste of time and public resources.

She stated that the PF government should consider the removal of immunity as waste of time and money adding that the government must learn from what happened on the late President Chiluba’s removal of immunity which did not turn out as expected.

Ms Kalima said it was just a waste of tax payer’s money which could be utilized for other important developmental programmmes.

She urged the government to concentrate on other pressing issues such as the high poverty levels, mealie meal shortages and many other important matters.

The Parliamentarian said there were a number of political leaders like Geoffrey Mwamba, Wynter Kabimba and Mutembo Nchito who she alleged were also facing corruption charges yet people are not calling for their resignation.

She accused the PF government of also setting a bad precedence of lifting the immunity of former president’s each time there was a new government.

Ms Kalima said she would not support the removal of immunity of the former Head of State.

Commenting on the same issue in a different development, MMD Eastern Province party Secretary Lugomo Phiri said it was disappointing that the PF government was not doing things in good faith.

ZANIS

60 COMMENTS

  1. LELO LELO MUNZI WAPYA WA RB. IF HE DID NOTHING WRONG, LET HIM ALLOW THE LAW TO TAKE ITS COURSE. OF COURSE KALIMA BENEFITED FROM THE PLUNDER. SHE CANNOT SUPPORT THE LIFTING OF THE IMMUNITY OF RB.

  2. Mama Victoria Kalima has exhibited that much needed motherly character. She has exhibited genuine maturity in handling national matters. RB is our Man we would cherish to live a free and peaceful life after successfully carrying forward Mwanawasa’s developmental programs and initiating his own countrywide programs for the benefit of the entire nation.

    There are many Zambians who are sheding tears due the harassments being executed by the State on very innocent people. But we have to hide our tears because the ruthless authorities can punish us for expressing agony. This is a stranged country where men and women of integrity are persecuted whereas known criminals of all diversity (Kabimba, Mmembe, Nchito, Mahtani etc) are honoured for their deceit and plunder of national resources.

  3. Who cares if you dont support it.
    RB needs to be questioned and arrested.If he had continued to be President of Zambia,by now he was going to be negotiating with potential Investors willing to buy Zambia.

    Look at how much he has stolen with his Sons within a short period of time of being Head of States.He is the biggest thief ever.

  4. I absolutely agree with Victoria, let the MPs devote their time looking at issues that will bring development to Zambia not persuing RB. The electorate already dealt with RB and now its time he rests than dragging the man to court or wherever.
    Respect for the parents also go with blessings. Leave RB alone and lets forge ahead with important issues like building roads that will irradicate the carnage we are facing.
    Leave RB alone.

    • You sound like Henry, you must be his son enjoying the loot , what is so special about RBB? he stole more than chiluba did in 10 years and we want to hear his side of the story , a precedent was set it should be followed Rupiah jele

    • In as much I would like to agree that we should leave RB alone and focus on development. We also need to create a precedent that will deter all future leaders from abusing office, its like what happened to chiluba was not a deterent enough, RB though it was a one off and there will never be another mwanawasa. going forward all leaders should know the consequence of stealing and that they are not above the law, even those in government now

    • And like Chiluba’s case end up consuming more money than he stole. just concentrate on development, if he stole mwai wake, let us work wit what we have, otherwise another 10 years will go by and we’ll still be crying about poverty.. WE HAVE MDG’S TO ATTAIN!!

  5. mwalelya na RB Mayo ka? just come open and say you benefited unlike questioning authorities who are entrusted with power to investigate corruption allegations.

  6. The author of ‘the African mindset: a functional Analysis’, delved into behavioural theories to carefully construct his own version of the African mindset. He lavishly gave examples of how Africans re-enforce the terrible behaviours of their leaders by allowing them to get away unpunished, only for them (leaders) to perpetrate worse atrocities, thus setting up a vicious cycle. In effect African leaders and elites are corrupt because their people are tolerant of their behaviour.

  7. Firstly, the precedent of removing immunities from former leaders was set by MMD (Mwanawasa), and not PF, and there is nothing wrong with that. Secondly, this MP is a non-entity and her opinion is as good as a donkey’s fart. Thirdly, it is not just the PF government, but many Zambians who would like to know what happened to their resources, and would like to recover what is recoverable. Fourthly, former heads of state are not such special creatures that removing their immunities violates any fundamental laws. Those who are saying leave RB alone, well, let us see. Some of us want him prosecuted if evidence is found. We know that some criminals cover their tracks very well.

    • Will it be worth it iwe!!! If you don’t know there are resources being wasted, misappropriated and stolen right now. If you are truly being fair with yourself would you rather wait until PF is out of power then start investigations? Going after RB shan’t add any value to you or me, it will however, create a vile and vindictive political cycle that is detrimental to the nation’s progress. Take into account the moneys that will be spent on investigations, prosecution and defence in comparison to the actual money you are chasing. I am sure you will find that the cost is far greater than the result, which is foolishness. Chase current corruption and not old, they say to kill a snake you have to cut off the head. the head is always in the present.

    • Ba Nkwazi something, SOMETHING GOTTA GIVE! should we be deprived for ever because of your fear of other resources beingtempered with? in a century to come if Zambia still exits looking at how things are showing…., calculate how much will be stolen by so many presidents to come and their disciples, then tell me which would have been better, your resources you want to save now or tackle the problem!

  8. Dear Madame,
    Whilst we appreciate your opinion (specifically about financial cost and legal outcome uncertainty), can you please clarify your understanding on the definite possibility that certain actions by the ex President (when in the office) are subject to legal proceedings where the State shall be held responsible and thus incurring not just even greater financial cost but also very damaging negative publicity?

    • Mwanawasa went to parliament and devulged all the information about all the wrongs Chiluba did, and parliamentarians got overwhelmed, passed in favour of lifting the immunity. Now, our current govmt are too secretive all they want is just removing Bandas immunity without disclosing his wrong doings. They even tempted to start prosecuting him without removing his immunity when they very well know the procedure. This is coming from a background of settling scores. Memmbe is bitter about Banda because he tried to prosecute him. And Banda never kept the information to himself. He told Zambians what Memmbe did, we all know the Zambian Airways saga and other criminal acivities he indulged in. And this govmt instead of first clearing this criminals they just start supporting them.

  9. It’s simple logic if one is all he has.Unless,u wish 2pay a blind eye 2what was transpiring during da fateful reign of one RB.We saw da removal of abuse of Office Clause frm ACC statutes.We saw how pipo who were previously struggling 2make ends meet acquire wealth with supersonic velocity.If u steal,whatever form u r,da long arm of da law wil pursue u.Da English say 2b forewarned is 2b forearmed.Who didn’t warn one Bwezani about da course he had taken of abandoning da corruption crusade!We reap what we plant.How many pipo hv gone 2their grave early of preventable circumstances owing 2graft.Think of that b4 u pay yo blind allegiance 2evil(atrocities)

  10. Mama Victoria, I am very disappointed with your reasoning. What could be more important than ensuring that the people we put in State House respect us Zambians and our wealth. Zambia’s resources being plundered by former or present heads of Government and their families do not belong to them but to the Zambian people and whoever plunders it should be held responsible. This same stolen money could have been used for solving the more pressing issues you are talking about. RB is not above the law and you Parliamentarians must ensure that you do your part and vote to remove RB or any former leaders immunity so as to allow prosecution of those who have stollen. This may send a messege to future leaders to avoid stealing from Zambians. By the way PF is not setting any bad precedence, MMD did!

  11. Why is it that Chiluba out-lived Mwanawasa? God rules in the kingdom of men and believe it or not its Him who cancelled the case of FTJ though this seems very difficult for Zambians to accept considering the magnitude of Chiluba’s corruption cases. The bible says ‘ Touch not mine anointed and do my prophets no harm’. What am sayings seems really ridiculous but Chiluba anointed Mwanawasa and RB ‘anointed’ Sata. In spiritual realm RB is a father to Sata, FTJ was to Levy, KK to all ( as only KK should be given the title father of the nation.
    Hence our beloved president should be careful not to tread the path of self destruction. He is the man of the people as we voted for him massively and RB is no longer a factor neither is he a threat to his rule. In fact he needs to consult RB more.

    • You are not wise at all RBB never anointed Sata , we the people did, in fact like you have rightly quoted the good book GOD reigneth in the Kingdoms of men and HE gives it to whom ever He wants , so he gave it to SATA , RBB wanted to stay for five mores years hence his extravagant campaign if he really anointed Sata why has he been so much against him in many ways using Amsterdam and some self serving clergies cum politicians . I am sure you don not know the difference between handing over and anointing that is why you want to start misquoting even the holy scriptures

  12. James and Henry Bandas ruled Zambia. There was massive looting and RB must answer for that. RB was controlled by his 2 sons , Dora siliya and xxxx Daka. Hey these chaps were buying their girl friend blocks of flats. There is no smoke without fire. The immunity must be lifted. The jails are not only for those who store chickens and soaps from shoprite.

    • It should be done if there is reasonable evidence of looting of our resources. Once again I say no leader, past or present should be above the law. The Zambian people respect them by confering the immunity on them but they turn around and abuse this privilage and misuse or steal our resources. We therefore have a right to remove the privilage and p rosecute them. PERIOD!

  13. That is why Africa lags behind. We will never develop as long as we have laws which allow crime to go unpunished for some people. The developed world is so because their leaders are held accountable. There, It doesn’t matter weather you are MP, president or Prime minister. If you commit crimes while in office, the law will visit you. I cannot believe an MP worth his/her salt saying the lifting of immunity on a former head of state is a waste of resources. What I expect from any MP is seek to hold everyone accountable for their actions. If a former president is suspected to have abused his powers, he must be investigated and prosecuted. And as far as I am concerned, the immunity nonsense should not appear in our new constitution because it is a backward law.

    • No you clown! Africa lags behind because we waste too much time focusing on what we think people want and not what they need.
      Africa is where it’s at because we fell asleep at the driving wheel,
      Africa is where it’s at because we feel it is someone else’s responsibility to tell us what to do,
      Africa is where it’s at because we have no purpose but that which we choose to ignore,
      You say God has one for you, I say you are too stupid to find it cos you are sitting on it!
      Zambia is better than it looks because in her hands she carries hope,
      in her eyes I see our future, I see our purpose, I see greatness.
      But I am but a single person, come climb this mountain with me so we can share prosperity and fortune, see what I see and we’ll be happy.

  14. WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY, 100% SPOT ON MADAM. USE THE RESOURCE TO HELP POOR ZAMBIANS. ENOUGH INTER-PARTY FIGHTS ITS TIME TO WORK..

    • Thank you! I keep telling people to stop the corruption that is obtaining now!! and today 1 step forward and 2 steps back. we love that, I think we are scared of living in a prosperous country.. I promise you this crap won’t take us anywhere.
      Here we are there is nothing being heard from Kabimba’s, Masebo,GBM, even Kambwili’s issues of bad governance but we still want to say look at what that guy did… Shame, I say Shame! We are so much better than this.

  15. That’s right Chaona, there is much bigger fish to worry about like British sugar company who are still robbing us in broad day light,

  16. Comments Posted by: Chimangeni Napapaata – February 14, 2013 07:47 on ZWD

    Chiluba said Zambians are docile and he was right. In other countries leaders don’t mess around with people like this.
    Honestly, can we allow RB’s immunity to be removed when SATA is shielding Kabimba and GBM and many others? How can SATA try pursue corruption cases in the past leaders when he has failed to pursue his own ministers with corruption cases?
    RB suspended Dora Siliya when she was being investigated and only reinstated her after she was cleared. Who is then better between RB and MCS?

  17. I tend to take heed of Kalima’s sentiments. What we have in this constitution making process is to right some of those anomalies. One of the things we suggested was to allow immunity to lapse as soon as a president is out of office (give him breathing space of about a year or two). Another is to do away with the so-called entitlement benefit of having a house built. They must return where they came from but with added security and staff as is currently the case. That way money meant for useful things can be increased…

  18. This is just not right fellow Zambians, is this how we are going to live surely? Yes you can remove RB’s immunity but for what purpose? Mwanawasa laid down a detailed indictment for Chiluba’s case, which was after the man had run the country into the ground. Parley has to decide if the allegations are worth it first, but doing so will mean diverting vital resources (our leaders) from more important works and projects. I know that there are people with EVIL minds that just love to see people suffer but what are you going to say or do when the same issues befall the current president? Lift his immunity as well, while the then president also steals and pillages? Be the change you want to see and say no to to corruption today! and stop the ills we see NOW.

    • NKWAZI!!! SPOT ON. Can imagine how much was spent in previous cases, did they arrest anyone? This hate we have will always bring our country backward. As much as RB May have made mistakes, it will be embarrassing for ZAMBIA on international levels, people had lost respect for us when CHILUBA tried to arrest SUPER Ken. Respect to our former leaders, embrace them to help us move forward. We always take 2 steps forward then 10 steps backward. Really a SHAME.

  19. Let us push for the removal of presidential immunity from the constution so that even the sitting president can rule knowing that once he misbehaves he would be taken court after leaving office.

  20. Another prostitute of RB, you thought RB would be in Government forever? if you ate with him you will go down with him, that is the problem with our Zambian women politicians too much bottom power! stripping too much!! for money!

  21. If people are going to call for the lifting of a former president’s immunity every time there is a new government in power, why do have this immunity in the first place? Why not remove it from the constitution (if that is where it is stated) and let these people answer for their crimes instead of wasting time debating the issue when there are other important issues to be debated.

  22. Yes this immunity should completely be removed so that sanity can come to politics and people will stop insulting and fighting over who is going to be what! maybe HIV will even reduce becuase women politicians too much stripping for money and power

  23. If its really true abused public resources, then I personally have no quarrel in his immunity being lifted. But then there’s a problem here. Parliament will lift immunity as a matter of political consideration than legislative obligations, ACC,DEC,ZP,OP who will carry out the investigations may be difficult to to trust due to suspected strong political party leanings. The DPP has personal interest in this case coz of past differences with RB on DBZ debts, he will not be considered neutral and the Judicially seem to have their own challenges at the helm. Is RB going to receive a fair process? Ultimately the entire system will be on trial for no matter what one says, RB is no ordinary person, he is former Head of state and bound to attract worldwide attention. I say if there’s plausible…

Comments are closed.