Chief Government Spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni has said that it is unfair for former President Rupiah Banda to accuse Government of persecuting him through the ongoing investigations into his alleged wrongdoings while in office.
Mr. Sakeni , who was still admitted at University Teaching Hospital ( UTH )yesterday, said in a signed statement that said Mr. Banda, like any other citizen in his situation is enjoying his full human rights and freedoms such as legal representation, including the assumption that he is innocent until proven guilty as per law established.
Below is the full statement
Republic of Zambia
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services
STATEMENT BY HON. KENNEDY SAKENI, MP, MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON ON COMPLAINTS BY FORMER REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT MR RUPIAH BANDA THAT HE IS BEING PERSECUTED
It is unfair for former Republican President Mr Rupiah Banda to accuse Government of persecuting him through the ongoing investigations into his alleged wrongdoing while in office.
Mr Banda, like any other citizen, in his situation, is enjoying his full human rights and freedoms such as legal representation, including the assumption that he is innocent until proven guilty, as per law established.
Further and beyond this, as former Head of State, Mr Banda is still enjoying all the privileges such as state security that go with the status of that office.
So, what persecution is Mr Banda complaining about? We challenge him to point out any injustice or violation of his human rights that he has suffered during the ongoing investigations.
But this country is governed by the rule of law. There are no sacred cows. Whoever is suspected to have done something wrong is called to account for their actions in accordance with the law.
The people of Zambia have done just that: to ask their former Head of State to account for his actions in the manner he presided over their resources while he was in office.
The law is very clear. It provides for the removal of a former President’s immunity when there is suspicion of wrongdoing so that he or she can exonerate oneself.
When he addressed his supporters on Monday after appearing before the Joint Investigative Team, Mr Banda is on record as urging sympathizers to remain calm as the investigations would provide him a chance to answer to the various allegations levelled against him.
What has suddenly changed that Mr Banda should now say he is being persecuted over the same process he had earlier welcomed as an opportunity to clear himself over the allegations.
Contrary to his lamentations, Mr Banda will be prosecuted and not persecuted for the wrongs he is suspected to have committed while in office. And these have been clearly itemized for his response.
The Patriotic Front is a responsible Government which has a duty to ensure public resources benefit the people of Zambia. The law will not spare anyone found wanting in this regard.
Hon. Kennedy Sakeni, MP
MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON
20th March, 2013
Who wrote the statement for Sakeni if he is in hospital.Now I agree that Sakeni just sign these press statements which are written from Bwinjunfumu road.This is serious comedy as far as am concerned,does it mean there is no one acting for him since he is unwell?????
Ala mwaba ifya bupuba muno mu Zambia, you should have listened to last night’s interview on ZNBC, when the Minister of Justice was being interviewed.
@cleo how do i listen to ZNBC when am not in Zambia dont call people ubupuba first you have to find out.Tell me what did the minister of injustice say
Oh no, is he back? Thought the almighty might give him an infinity leave? We missed the vomit though!
why should i tell you!!!!!!!!!!!
@Chanda Chimba the Hero, there must be a replay somewhere.
For those doubting, this is a simple statement that can be done from anywhere.
First the man is fully conscious, well oriented and able to follow events he is clearly aware of.
People have undertaken more complex tasks from their hospital beds than this piece of cake on RB’s thefts.
This isn’t strange and I don’t see the reason for all the fuss being raised mostly by political nondescripts.
SUCK ANY should rest and stick to medication.Ma politics fye aya ba mudala.
ZAMBIANS EASILY FORGET. THAT IS WHY PRESIDENTS TAKE THEM FOR FOOOLS AND KEEP STEALING FROM THEM. LOOK AT HOW HH IS BEHAVING REGARDING THIS MATTER, JUST A YEAR AGO HE WAS SCREENING ON TOP OF HIS VOICE THAT RB IS THE MOST CORRUPT PRESIDENT ZAMBIA HAS EVER HAD. NOW THE SAME RB IS AN ANGEL. FOOOOLS.
Bwanjafumu author all press statement then forward to Malupenga who print and give Sekeni to just pend a signature and mask read it. I am pending a Presidential by election and my relative on Copperbelt are eager to chase PF through a ballot paper come three to four months from now Sata is serious drying
Do ZNBC have live stream??? please send me the URL, I need to be listening to the Zambian News.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with a government Minister having his/her speech written for them. There are technocrats employed in each ministry whose scope of work includes outlining and writing speeches.
A government Minister’s work is largely,surprise surprise- rubber stamping!!! Its the guys behind the scenes that do the heavy lifting
Kitwe District Commissioner Elias Kamanga has blamed the police for being responsible for the critical shortage of mealie meal haunting people on the Copperbelt.
The Patrotic Front (PF) government has failed to stop shortages of mealie meal, Zambia’s staple food. The government has also failed to explain the real causes for the food shortages.One of the District Commissioner Kamanga said it had become apparent that the police on the Copperbelt was an amalgamation of corrupt and incompetent elements who wanted to benefit from the people’s misery.He said from Kitwe that the police were conniving with smugglers to transport mealie meal to the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo where the commodity was being sold at a higher price.
He said he has received reports alleging that some unscrupulous individuals were involved in a racket where mealie was being bought in large quantities from outlets and then transported in the night to the Congo where the commodity was fetching a higher price.
Kamanga said the shortage of the staple food was an artificial situation, which was being created by millers who were not releasing enough stock to the local market and at a price of Kr 50, which was dictated by President Sata recently.He said the situation was exacerbated by smugglers who were siphoning mealie meal to the DRC.
The District Commissioner was responding to public concerns that it was unreasonable for the government to complain against the export of mealie meal to the DRC when it was the same government that was in
charge of the border crossing to the neighboring country.
“It has become clear that the police are not doing their job. We are saying this because there is no way mealie meal, which is so scarce here can be transported under the watchful eye of our police especially with the check points near the border with Congo,” he said.
Kamanga said the police on the Copperbelt must be vigilant and stop the people from smuggling mealie meal to the DRC since this food was meant for Zambia.
The shortage of mealie meal on the Copperbelt is the second situation being experienced in less than two months when the region suffered widespread shortage of the staple food.The shortage of mealie meal and other essential commodities such as fuel have been reported in different parts of Zambia.
Three weeks ago, Agriculture Minister Bob Sichinga gave a ministerial statement to parliament saying the shortage of mealie meal in Zambia was because there were no milling plants across the country since the millers were centralized in Lusaka.
This was denied by bodies such as the Zambia Consumer Rights Association which argued that the minister’s explanation of the mealie meal shortage was not true.
I thought, this was important even as people debate Sakeni’s statement.
Well, this is why some of us have strong reason and suspicion to believe that all these statements are being authored by POST newspaper.
How can somebody who was admitted at the Hospital yesterday issue such a statement from his hospital Bed?
This is crazy. The real PF needs to step forward and deliver what the people voted you for than being pre-occupied by Mmembe’s hatred of those that are tried to make sure that he pays back the money he owes to the state
Brace yourself for the usual comments.
Stress is not good for any one bed sick… common knowledge!, sekani`s doctor must have given him some bed rest away from work. This country has been sold to the devil, PF kaponyas followers donot even know whats going on and who is rulling.
Rupiah Banda and his family constitute the axis of evil in Zambia
mmd chief boot licker,uletontonkanya man.Sakeni is concious and he knows what is happening.He is the government spokes person and he is not unconscious that he cannot read or sign a statement from his hospital bed.Your demi God RB stole and he cannot claim to be persecuted.There is time for everything that what the bible says.Time has come for RB to account for his wrongs.Mulesebana unomwaka.I dont know hoe some of you go to the extent of embarrasing yourselves by wearing ifisalu fya ba MMD!!Shame man!!
Are you supporting presidents to be stealing withou being questioned? You
seem to suffer from bitterness illness. I used to read your comments and you completely ruled PF offcorse before elections. Accept, the majority of those that voted were for PF and MCS. And they know why. Partly was becaue of the kind of mismanagement. If your man was clean, he would have been the first to celebrate the opportunity to go and clear his name. But he knows how dirty his fingures are hence all the gymnastics. As warned before, time is fast catching up with him.
Indeed real PF if ever they exist should step forward and rescue themselves from perpetual embarrancement caused in the nation. Overwhelmed by lack of effective governence due to incompetence, level of education, hidden serious sicknesses and hypocrisy on corruption. Zambians need basic food commodoties running out of the nation when Sata is selling maize to neighbouring countries. LUNACY ALL OVER.
@things fall apart, no one has said that sekani is unconsious, what is been said here is that sekani is hospitalised sick therefore he need a break to recover.
Let me something PF chaps, you will stress your leaders to death because you let them lie, lie and lie again to cover more and more lies,,,,, lying is stressing job if you donot know
Is sakeni working while on sick leave? I’m sure bwinjifumu didn’t think through this
We want sensible comments about what the minister has written not this bed or meembe nonsense, The good Minister has his assistant who wrote this statement but such sensitive issues need his consent that is why it was taken to him for approval and signing. Simple minds discuss people…
Errhh,hold it Mr Sakeni,no sacred cows in Zed? What of Mmembe,Nchito et al? Get your health back first coz your medication is clearly clouding your judgement.
walasa!
The only statements people sign from their death beds are their wills, not this one shoved down neanderthal’s salivating throat by M’Membe.
Sakeni the useful ediot*
you are a useful basta.rd
CHIWANANGALA if am a bastard then you were born through a pigs ars ho
Just take your medicine naimwe. Have become a statement addict.
Please issue a statement about the mealie meal shortage; not that I really care about the shortage but nshima is regarded so highly in Zambia and it is criminal for mealie meal to be short. RB’s sentiments will not cushion the lack of our staple food. He has no bearing at all. So Bwinjimfumu and your minnions get your thinking straight.
Who wrote this press statement because we know Sakeni is ill.Can my colleagues at UTH confirm that Sakeni is indeed admitted?Can you also tell if he was in a state yesterday to write press statements? Our democracy is under threat we have to do something if indeed its Mmembe who is writing press statements and holding our president Sata at ransom.Its forgery for someone else to release statements on behalf of the government. Can people from ministry of Home affairs also confirm that Sakeni wasn’t in the office yesterday.Its time to expose the injustices.
Fred at Post wrote that and Sekeni just pended his signature
Mr Sakeni how do you know that he WILL be Prosecuted when he hasnt even been charged? Arent the so called independent security wings still investigating? With this very Statement you have just confirmed that yes he will indeed be PERSECUTED. These PF chaps are DUMB. Honestly, a government of intelligent people would have chosen this moment to keep quiet. NO COMMENT would be the standard response if a case is been handled by the so called law enforcement officials. Even Joyce Banda in Malawi has cleverly refused to comment on the coup plot in Malawi. Not even her Ministers . But what do you expect from PF kaponyas and neo communists at the Post?
Its a pre-determined outcome mwana. What will they gain throwing RB behind the bar? Expect leadership with mealie meal crisis to be resolved our relatives will be drying from hungry unlike we in Europe adopted to western food.
You will be the next to be put behind bars.
Ka Sakeni Chi colour, dont make and treat public offices like private property which you even take to hospital.When someone is ill like yourself they are by law classed as unfit to perform the jobs that they will normally perform when they are fit.There is always someone who could be delegated with the responsibility of issuing useless statements like this one .What has happened to your deputy?
Ah ah, for once I thought Suck-Any had been discharged from his death bed. Kanshi it is the Bwinjifumu Cabinet!
Sakeni, the PF has shown that they are abusing the justice system and the evidence is clear. Can you explain why you arrested Nevers Mumba only to enter a null, why arrest UPND officials when you knew you killed your own member in Livinggstone? The idea that taking RB to court or any person for that matter is a normal process of the justice system can not be argued, but accusing poeple of offenses that are non-existent amount to abuse of the justice system and human rights. Justice is not free, imagine RB has to pay lawyer’s, look at the time he has to worste in the court room, and in Zambia once labeled you are a thief forever. You have made several aquisations before, the fake trillion kwacha, the gold scandle, and you don’t even bother to update the nation on the outcomes. Wait?
Fred Mmmembe must stop gthis nosense,how can Sakeni who is bed ridden issue a statement whilst in bed!? Now we know who is ruling,it is not Sata or PF at all,it is Fred Mmembe.
Which ‘rule of law’ is he talking about in Zambia? The one only used against opponents? What happens to you if you abuse government resources, rig elections, owe the citizens, accused of corruption as a minister, bulldoze your way into the opposition camp ignoring protests, etc, in a real RULE OF LAW?
Our country has been hijacked by some news editors who believe in the power of media propaganda to manipulate the truth. We are already at war with the Post. FJT didn’t finish them off properly we will. This is why they want to shut down other online news sites so they can force their rubbish down our throats. Zambia ikulu sana bane.
Boma is never sick
You useless contributors, does it mean if you are in hospital you can’t issue a statement. If you are below par plz stop wasting time by contibuting komboni ideas.
the only Zambians who work when they are sick are those who run their own businesses not government workers.even those who owe some banks K14billion work when they are sick.
@John Maladh or John Malaria,When you are sick as an Employee you are granted a Sick Leave!
straight foward when you are sick(sick leave) someone should act on your position.who is he that makes him think that its only him who can issue statements on behalf of GRZ(PF)
Ba RB fya tampa ukulula..sure when the process started he was happy now after going through it he is crying for immunity.. Kukosa ba mwine…
It wont be long before this Fred Mumembe issues a Statement for someone from the Grave. I am beginning to think that rather than been a calculating puppet master; this Fred Mumembe must be a very scared little boy. How else can he make this mistake? Clearly the boy is panicking and not thinking straight. Zambians will in the end get you little Fred. You should start thinking of going into exile either to Cuba or Zimbabwe were your neo communist friends are. Dont even count on your Comrade Kaunda to be on your side. He is a turncoat and immediately your Pathetic government falls he, Munkombwe, and the NGOs for rent will join the choir for the new government. Nothing is permanent in politics just better to avoid stepping on other peoples’ feet!
Aha… Sakeni in a stupor writing a response???? I’m worried for Zambia, if a bed ridden Sakeni can issue threats.
One day Ukwa with his prostate cancer confusion will start a war with Zimbabwe where Bob Mugabe his best friend will be caught napping.
I VOTED FOR PF AND AM STILL WAITING FOR THE REAL PF I VOTED FOR TO DELIVER.
Why are Zambians instantaneous in their analyses? RB has had a career of recklessness and vindictiveness that can actually not raise anyone’s eyebrows when or if they hear he is in this situation. It is like forgetting what HH uttered just two years ago and trying to explain his current state on an instant. Lets look back at these people’s backgrounds and behaviors so that next time we can judge more objectively and not subjectively…
I think it’s because most ‘think’ with their stomachs or with their raw emotions or just won’t think through issues! At least the majority of those who blog here.
Abena Kalok, kakulyenifye chabe money baPF bamituta on your studies. We know what happened.
Backgrounds, the worste list is topped by Michael Sata, Membe, Kaunda…..these never rest till they kill their perceived enemies. Especially Kaunda and member, they will do anything, they are now using MCS, Tchito, Matibini as their tools. Kaunda will love you as wrong he can use you to handle his enemies. Mwanawasa was used till Chiluba died and now you want RB dead with stress just because he recognized the kapwepwe family. I don’t know what Kapwepwe did to Kaunda, please historians help us to understand.
die die today please
From the hysteria and venom, against The Post and its editor, exposed on this blog, I can only surmise that The Post has been very effective in thwarting the schemes of those who would turn the country and its resources into their little personal gold mine and ‘plate of nshima and ndio’, to the exclusion of all other citizens.
I salute you, ThePost. Bravo!!!
and membe has also contracted an std from the boys he sleeps with from kalingalinga go to to his office today and you ll see how his looking
SAKENI uli chipuba how can u accept to be used by FRED Membe, plz jst die peacefully infact u should repent while in hospital bed for the lord to forgive u in many sins u have committed. RB was just updating his supporters what nonsense going on at DEC so called interrogation when those *****s whats RB to give them evidence which they dont have on those allegations KABIMBA took to Parliament. I was there when RB addressed his supporters who went to show solidarity he never lamented SAKENI is a shameless lair RB jst told us that let my lawyer tell u what is been going on since the so called interrogation started and one of his lawyers in name of SAKWIBA SIKOTA assured us that a case against RB is not going anywhere bcoz state dot have any evidence to link RB
There are more pressing issues like mealie meal shortage and price, unemployment, better health care, education to talk about than RB. Let Sakeni discuss what matters for the zambian tummies.
This bustard why rush to dispute bwezani’s claims instead of countering claims that ukwa is now fitted with a urine bag.so its true kanshi ukwa nomba ni chisusu
You are one of the bastards for disputing that bwezani is a thief.
Ala, aba tebalwele? Then he was faking the sickness, i think his boss refused to give him one day to rest, i know how chaps fake sicknesses, Sakeni is one of them!
Political swingers: HH’s words, statements and pronouncements about RB’s corrupt practices that time, who would think today HH would be supporter of RB? What do politicians stand for? HH blamed and criticized RB for the same cases RB is being asked to explain. Look at his side he is supporting! Is there right and wrong? Crazy stuff, man.
So did he sign the statement from the bedside or ‘the hostage clique’ just pp-ed it?
Hon Chikwanda, how do you stomach being aligned with this dumb lot?
bushe uyu cikala alifuma mucipatala
HH said he does not support lifting of immunity for ANY president. All the other parties are not for the lifting of immunity also.
YOU ARE RIGHT I AM ASLO AGAINST THE LEFTING OF THE IMMUNITY SIMPLY BECAUSE THATS NOT A PROBLEM.WE SHOULD FOCUS ON HOW TO SOVLE THE PROBLEM.COME 2016 SATA’S IMMUNITY WILL BE STRIPED.
I have never dull bloggers than the ones on this blog. Sakeni is a Chief Government spokesperson. It means that he talks on behalf of the Government whenever the Govt wants to speak. Unless the bloggers are saying that the whole Govt is hospitalised hence it cannot speak then a point could be taken but as the things are, Sakeni at no one point does he author any of what he says but speaks on behalf of the Govt. Yaba, dealing with grade one drop outs due to alabi stealing monies from education to pay image builders is difficult. Anyway, PF is correcting things and you can enrol as grade 2s in night school.
Just recuperate from your ailment Sakeni do not provoke the people to that might worsen your situation.What do you mean when you say there are no sacred cows?
Is Winter and GBM not sacred?We as Zambians are seeing and watching RB going to the GJIT for the so called interviews and your GJIT are confirming it by issue press statements.When did Winter Kabimba go for interviews at the ACC offices apart from that day he was in the company of thugs to harass the ACC.We are still awaiting for the press release or statement from ACC to tell us when how Winter and GBM were cleared of corruption. There is good Bemba saying that goes like this.Ifya munda yanama filalala lelo ifya munda yamuntu tafilalala. One day is one day.
Banda is being pursued for the oil Zambians paid for but wasn’t delivered. There can never be a more clearer case of embezzlement than this one. What persecution? I don’t understand how a head of state, entrusted with such a heavy responsibility governing a country could also be a kabova when he is so handsomely remunerated with a secured future! He should be locked up.
#1.10 download tuneup radio you will be able listen to ZNBC
When is oxygen going to run out at UTH ?Sick and tired of these riff raffs
HH kapopo
SUCKANY MANYO BA KADZI
I thought this dog was being caged at hospital? Iwe chi Sakeni, just shut up!
The way this government is going, we shall continue hearing Mr Sata speaking long after he is dead but not buried.
A Minister in hospital sends a message from his sick bed on headed government paper! He picked up his phone, called his secretary and dictated the response, but for every thing else, he is off sick!
Typical of us Zambians. Instead of commenting intelligently we resort to insulting the Minister and ourselves. Yet we blame our leaders for failure to develop. We need to develop our minds first before we can develop our country. We have failed in our patriotic duties to propose workable solutions to the issues affecting our people. Let’s change the way we operate else development will remain wishful thinking
I thought that maybe they were repairing his haphazardly arranged teeth while in hospital which would mean that this sub-human relic would have to shut the fck up.
Ambiri aona ndipo azindikila kuti boma likulakwa kuwabvutitsa a RB. That’s why govnt is responding in this manner by saying Banda is unfair. Who is unfair in this case. Mulekeni Banda akapumule mwamatendere.
The statement is authored by membe,you cheat us with this crap,,there is no one sensible in pf,nowonder membe is having a field day of editing all kaponyas brains:..sakeni is very sick.
Just as parliament cannot debate a matter that is before the courts of law, the courts also can not determine what motion parliament should debate. THAT IS SEPARATION OF POWERS MWE BANTU. In this particular case, the constitution specifically talks about immunity of a president and that when there are suspicions of impropriety in conduct on the party of a President, PARLIAMENT can strip him/her of that immunity. Not the courts to determine wether parliament can debate the motion to strip immunity of such a one. That is not the business of the court! The separate arms of government compliment one another but are not supposed to cajole or interefere with each other’s business.
There is leadership crisis in Zambia…. who can lead us bwino bwino fye kanshi??? uuuuuuhhhhhhmmmmmnnnnn tapali as at now… lets look to God
What fight against corruption does Sakeni wameno monga crocodile keep talking about?There’s no prosecution here but what is there is CNP is merely persecuting RB.For as long as State House protects Nchito,M’membe,GBM & dull- lawyer Kabimba from standing prosecution,fight against corruption that has now seem to have targeted RB,HH,Mumba etc will not be trusted.
RB- So we thought this day would never come….really?
Sakeni is championing PF’s “Govt duty to ensure that public resources benefit the citizens”. What has this Angelic Minister of “Misinformation” done to retrieve Billions of Kwacha fraudulently obtained from the DBZ by Nchito and Mmembe as revealed in Courts of Law? The PF’s Police, ACC, DEC and the Mmembe’s useful ***** Sakeni are persecuting RB and glorifying the 3 established THIEVES. But when Sata eventually dies Zambians will soon be amazed to witness a scenario staged by the Lenje-dominated group battling it out with the Bemba-dominated group to wrestle the Republican Presidency in the name of PF. The episode will be so interesting that MMD and UPND will watch the wrestling bout from cooler terraces with amusement.
Maimwe ba Sekeni poleni first then you start talking,is there a shortage of ARV’s in UTH ?I can get some for you from my hubby’s supply and its 4th generation noti atuma 3rd generation you are on no wonder you are admitted in UTH,some of us niku India by night!
The best way to respond to some useless talk is to keep quiet .
ACCORDING TO MICHAEL CHILUFYANYA SATA; WYNTER KABIMBA IS A SACRED COW, ALL PF MINISTERS ARE SACRED COWS SHOW ME ONE PF MINISTER ARRESTED FOR CAMPAIGN MATERIALS AND I WILL SHOW YOU A SACRED COW