Chief Government spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni has issued a media statement warning former President Mr Rupiah Banda for the last time to desist from defending his case through the media by issuing disparaging statements against the ongoing investigative process.
Mr Sakeni said should Mr Banda continue with this practice, Government will be left with no choice but to make public his very embarrassing details of his wrongdoing which the investigators have uncovered.
Below is the full statement
Republic of Zambia
Ministry of Information ad Broadcasting Services
STATEMENT BY HON. KENNEDY SAKENI, MP, MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON ON ACCUSATIONS BY FORMER PRESIDENT MR RUPIAH BANDA’S LAWYER ROBERT AMSTERDAM
It is disappointing that former President Mr Rupiah Banda has continued to issue unwarranted attacks against the Government through his lawyer Robert Amsterdam over the ongoing investigations for his alleged wrongdoing while in office.
It is very clear that Mr Banda has chosen to play politics on very serious allegations of wrongdoing that he is facing.
The statements he is issuing through his lawyer clearly demonstrate this fact.
As a responsible Government that respects the rule of law, we would like Mr Banda to receive adequate facilities through the established channels of the due process of the law in defending himself.
But Mr Banda wants to tell lies even on straight forward matters. He claims that the Joint Investigations Team (JIT) postponed his questioning to Friday to facilitate his arrest this weekend. However, we have established that it was actually Mr Banda’s lawyers who suggested Friday after the JIT informed him that the questioning would continue on Thursday.
We would like, therefore, to warn Mr Banda, for the last time, to desist from defending his case through the media by issuing disparaging statements against the ongoing investigative process.
Should Mr Banda continue with this practice, Government will be left with no choice but to make public his very embarrassing details of his wrongdoing which the investigators have uncovered.
We hope he will then not complain that he is being tried in the media.
Hon. Kennedy Sakeni, MP
MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON
22nd March, 2013
No – don’t make such a threat. A bad act must not be followed by a worse one…
What are you talking about kalok you must be smoking maheu like masala read before posting. Waba bamba ya figamba iwe
I wonder if he wrote this statement in hospital?
Wise indeed
deleted
So his lawyers decided that he should b interviewed on Friday, then they realized they have made a mistake as he cud be locked up. Then they rushed to Amsterdam who also rushed to SADC member countries. What a bunch of stupid lawyers!!
RB through Amsterdam is knowingly, wilfully and consciously painting govt in bad light as a way of marshalling sympathy, compassion, benevolence and empathy that he is being persecuted instead of prosecution.
Amsterdam even has the audacity to say, “President Rupiah Banda peacefully stepped down to hand over power to a new party. President Banda made this choice in favor of the stability and unity of the nation, and with the confidence of an unimpeachable record of performance in government”
Amsterdam, a useful idi0t indeed!
RB was defeated at the polls and was by law not personal choice expected to go. He didn’t step down, he lost!
We must change the law on presidential benefits, currently its like rewarding an employee with full benefits including pension after being fired!
That nasty expired beard needs to go sir!
#1.1, I THINK KALOK IS MORE THAN YOU. WHAT HE IS POINTING OUT IS FACTUAL. TWO WRONGS DON’T MAKE A RIGHT.
Another letter from the dead.
Us in London are busy; this sucks as this Sakeni displays the wrongs which RB has done let him disclose where our beloved President MCS is! As a concerned Zambian i am worried just like everyone fishing abroad.
Bati ba ku soka, bamba ya figamba hahahaha, lol. I thought wa kwete iya lushishi from ichimuti cha mpundu
This is a totally wrong call for government to make. The prosecuting authority is supposed to be an independent body that does not get instructions from government, and Sakeni is not their spokesperson. Sakeni must understand that the impact of an iressponsible statement from government by far outweighs any such statement from RB or his lawyers!
How does Sakeni know that the Joint Investigations Team have uncovered “embarrassing details” of RB’s wrongdoing? Do they report to him? Are their findings not supposed to be their secret weapon that they should use to find him guilty in courts of law? Or is this how the LOO OF LAW works?
Why weren’t the so-called embarrassing details revealed in parliament?
Because there is NON. Sata, Mmembe, Wynter and Mtembo would have like to spill the beans if they had such.
The fact that there is nothing that is why empty threats.
Weldone Mr Sakeni, Uwushumfwa patunono…..It was like this even wen he was summoned b4 lifting his immunity. He became stubborn even his lawyers thot the gvt has no evidence against him. When Winter ready out those allegations him and his lawyers started running around like headless chickens. RB should remember that the same powers he and MMD had during his time has now been handed over to PF. BOMA NI BOMA
He has embarrassed himself using Amsterdam by appealing for protection from SADC presidents not knowing that the gvt will respond and provide SADC with evidence of their findings. Its like your wife sharing secrets of domestic problems with neighbours. Kupusa !!!
Imyemfu kwati maso yandi
Chanda what do you smoke? Please share otherwise smoking alone will make you fo bananas!
Ci Sakeni, waba ifimyemfu. But we want to know those embarasing wrong doings.
And stop prosecution through the POSTNEWSPAPER. You man you are sick but its like you are in denial. Just take you medication and rest. RB will be handled by qualified people that must prove his case beyond doubt
RB is powerless now he has to face the law do you understand the degree of corruption the former president was involved authorising the supply of oil by a named company from a named country this is vey serious he even signed a letter wait till this letter is made public then most of you will keep quite.Why is RB panicking
ZP you are right, I will be coming back soon from London so that we can table RB’s case objectively not the way these fish mongers are doing it. Viva RB!
Govt gloves are now off! Too sensitive and emotional, this govt. If you are armed with overwhelming evidence against RB, then take it easy, don’t sweat on RB’s behalf. There’s plenty of time to persecute him when he eventually fails to explain the whereabouts of the oil and the money in hong kong, or is it singapore?
The law requires if you don’t know for the suspect to provide details where how and where he got the money under the ACC act.That was the reason why MMD amended that act they knew what was ahead of them.PF is smart RB will be charged found in possession of money suspected to be proceed of crime the billions he was crushing during the compain so whether he keeps quite it won’t help
Choo chise
malabishi yako…..Just make a statement on the current meal meal shortages in the country
Abakamba bafwile baliyiba, nga mweso washi bakwete ? the quilty are alwys afraid
PF will forever operateas though in oppostion. Such a statement is not suitable for a govt. Its trivial . Govt is too big and very strong and should ignore anything prejudicial . Sakeni is behaving like a teenage that is threatenin – NI ZABAUZA BA MAMI
Amsterdam should just join politics from his he is exbitting tendencies a misplaced politician.
Those who don’t take warnings seriously have always be in trouble, RB is one of them, he was warned against refusing to appear before ACC for questioning, he did the opposite and today he has no immunity.
President RB, take this third and last warning seriously, it is for your good, you can’t worsen your position beyond this.
To you Hon. Sakeni, if RB says anything give us the very details or are you just issuing empty warnings? I will be waiting.
RB cannot be intimidated by Ailing SAKENI.
The Monitor
What will you do if given those very details? Are you going to prosecute him in your court?
Government spokesman doesn’t make any sense at all. His statement is hollow! What ever has been uncovered will be made public anyway as they obviously plan to prosecute him. That’s if the have some thing!
Akuti chinji kansi, who do you think the courts belong to?
PF please use educated bloggers. Cadres are just tarnishing your image for they show your calibre politically the world over. Viva Peoples Party. Viva Mulongoti! I am joining that Party when I get back from Europe in 2014.
A “final” warning…..?
Uh-hu, sure – if you say so boss. Only something makes me think you will be barking about this again.
Something else makes me wonder what he is even warning against. Are there any laws that prevent one from “defending his case through the media by issuing disparaging statements against the ongoing investigative process”? After how many months in office, it is not unreasonable to expect that Sakeni might have learned SOMETHING about the law….
Who is this Sakeni anyway?
sakeni very dull and very sick at the same tym
This has to be the most petty administration Zambia has ever had. One would think the Banda issue is the only thing happening in the country, consuming all effort and energy. Remaining quiet and letting the due process play out is what they should do. Zambians are not dull, we will make our own opinion on the issue without help from Govt or Bwinjinfumu (or are they one and the same?)
No RB is not a factor now he is an ordinary citizen he has to account together with his family how he used TAXI payers money.You crooks how do you support a man who used billions at the expense of poor Zambians to fund his evil campain that is corruption of the highest degree MMD MP’S have no morals even to suppor the former Leader.
Sakeni u will die as useless ***** u have already inhumanity RB when common Zambian have rejected the lift of his immunity. To hell with Bwanjafumu. I am making an offer of US500,0000 for anybody who can do Zambian a favour by shout Chi Mmembe, Solomon Jere, Kabimba and Katanga. The offer is seriously guys we need to cleanse Zambia
I have shouted those four names. Not sure my loud voice will cleanse Zed but I recorded myself in front of witnesses so my Swiss account details await your attention. No delays as I might have to hire a braggadocius media loving egotist to represent me and they don’t come cheap 🙂
Bitterness will kill you .It’s like taking poison and expecting someone else to die.You are Bitter !
So you are inviting trouble by threatening to kill. Let’s mind what we say. You can’t hide.your post can be followed upto to your bedroom.free advise
You can not think straight when you are so bitter and you making no sense at all. Rupia and those who dined and continue to dine with him have nothing to fear if he is clean. Why are trying to pre-empty the process? You are not helping. You are actually painting the man with ‘guilty brush’.
A useful *****
A useless one!
At last Banda will be made to answer for his sins. But be be as fair as possible because God will definitely judge us if we are impartial. This will set a precedence. At least Sata is OK. He dosen’t steal.
Mr.Sakeni sir! This is the simple mindedness I always discoutrage u about. If someone argues thru the media disparaging the govt, dont answer back thru such statements in the media. Go straight to the points by outlining what they have done n period. To me, it appears lke u dont have facts. Someone is daring u n u also dring them when u’ve facts b4 u! how silly!
Facts are there the Govt has evidence no wonder RB is panicking
Attention Sata & Sakeni
You are sick and naive,
Investigations are not facts until tested by courts which means your above rhetorics about Mr Banda belong to the families of untested stories held by your amateurish investigators. If your so-called investigators had been aware of the sensetive nature of their work , then they would have indicated to you that contents of their work about any suspect including Mr Banda cannot be released/divulged to the media because such a conduct disadvantages both the prosecutors and the investigators. Hence, information held by investigators is privileged information. Attorneys fight over the access to information, thus defense attorneys have to apply through courts to again access to information about their clients so that they can adequately prepare.
There is a provision in the law to tell the nation if there’s misleading stories that may paint a bad picture on the Govt.Nothing wrong for the Govt to expose those suspected yo be involved in crime
@No need to kill#19.1
Read what I have posted above, I do not think that we are on the frequency. The provision you are referring to is about informing the nation so as to clarify the position of the government in relation to disinformation. Simply put, the government retains its right to vindict itself under that provision/Act. Investigations as compiled by any reputable investigation team especially under PF are not influenced by Mr Banda and are not misleading so we are made to believe, if they are, there is no need to investigate him. Based on this premise, why release them and risk jeopardising the state’s case? Understand precisely the need for privileged information and you will not advocate your PF uneducated dummies. My friend, I have been studying for 34 years.
An ommission above
I meant to write that, I do not think that we are on the same frequency.
studying for 34 years only…
you still have a long way to go.
ARMSTADAM IS JUST EATING EASY STOLEN MONEY FROM THE RBs AND HE KNOWS IT. THAT’S THE TENDENCY OF AFRICANS- WHEN THEY STEAL THEY TAKE THE MONEY TO THE WHITES. THE WHITES ARE VERY HAPPY TO DEAL WITH SCARED AFRICAN THIEVES SUCH AS RB.
Spot on.Its better for the nation to be informed of RB crimes so that the court may not twist the facts
@ 20 Peter! Yaba! PF cadres stop embarrassing the President! Blog sense you have diplomats from Western and European countries do not make the whites look bad by your comments. PF please stop this uncouth behavior by your supporters.
@Beckham, you are even ashamed of using a zambian name, you are naive my friend!continue pretending to be beckham while the real one is in china enjoying the fruits of his sweat,you are just a thief like your boss RB.
I seriously have to stop reading statements from this man. I thought Wynter did submit to Parliament the “embarrassing details of his wrongdoing”? And the media and the people now know. Is Sakeni now telling us that Wynter lied, or that Wynter edited his submission? If that is the case, why was Parliament and us the people told half truths?
No, what you heard from winter is just some. Other embarrassing details where not taken to the house. Sata has some respect for this man but he does seem to understand so he will have himself to blame in the end.
@Kwekwe, the Bemba have a wonderful saying about beating a mothe- in-law in full, not in bits. My take on this is that Wynter was beating to the full, and that was why he confidently said something about Mr Banda being prosecuted based on the revelations. Me thinks, there is nothing more to be broadcast. Mmembe cannot spare RB especially after his famous “he called us all sorts of names and so-forth” common refrain concerning RB.
mother not mothe.
Attention Sakeni
You must enroll at a proper Law School preferably at a internationally recognised university not at a college. I also donate that I am not attempting to relegate the University of Zambia to another unofficial position but this above university is one of the least ranked both in Africa and the rest of the world. Maybe Sakeni you are a direct product of UNZA, a ruminant of a university.
Stop writing typical utterances which are not researched and it shows how detached you are from the justice dept. You must understand clauses about information and implications of releasing information to third parties. This is not about point scoring but it is about dispensing justice. It is clear that your intentions are about screwing someone’s life. Why do you conduct investigations?
Further, Sakeni
Mr Banda is acting within his rights by responding to your investigations using limited information he has about your allegations. If his attorneys are publishing information which is not in your line of argument, then why prescribe that which they ought to inform the public? If your team was carefull and good at their work, then you would put the evidence which Banda is releasing right now to him when he stands in a witness box in a court of law.
Release your allegations in their entirety to the media and you will make it a trouble free move for Banda to access information and sharpen his strategies.
Sakeni,
What is your job description? Releasing anything in your possession or that which has been prepared by others and signed by you.
Divulge everything about Sata and information from the intelligence database. Give us the juicy stuff. Come on we will not pass the information to anyone.
iwe…!
wapusuka cos today am in a jovial mood otherwise iwe…
good nite..
Actually Mr Sekeni it is long overdue. Now that u have treated this international con man -RB with respect he has found room to show the content of his evil heart. Just embarrass him.Fr. Chilinda know that u are just another enemy of the poor.
Don’t threaten Just reveal we the taxpaying public wanna know
Sense!
Ken Sakeni are you a moslem shame on you dont use stupid statement from your dying bed in the Hospital freedom of press must be respected .dont take people for granted PF is not there forever..look at your urgly face like makaka kolwe.
you think sakeni is sick,its you who is sick. sakeni is fine and well and out of hospital.Right now am with him having a drink at inter continental hotel waiting for the chipolopolo game my dear.go and see him at the office if you so wish tomorrow,he will be there
Crooks and their kids are the 1s insulting ken here. U Zambians ar weakered nd would want 2 have a country where u steal . Why should u let thieves b free? U are demons yourselves. What rb is doing shows that de ***** is guilt.Don’t spare him.
But as you write, be mindful, don’t be emotional as to even insult all the bloggers who are simply expressing their viewpoints just like yourself. Ngati chakubaba kamwelepo cafenol otherwise sichili normal kuvitenga personal, lest we embarrass you to that lesbian you claim to be your girlfriend…
Another PF Cadre! Let the courts rule! judge not.
Warning: If you don’t have hair on your head don’t grow hair on your face. You look like an upside down dummy.
Ah! It was written by George Chella.
Last kicks of a dying horse. Another death in the offing. Why issue threats frm a death bed as himself is clean.
This is one of thieves that plundered in chiluba govt.
young man, is your father, mother,uncle alive or dead?
In a democratic society government is not supposed to comment on an on going criminal investigations as it is likely to dilute all the essential elements required to convict someone.The argument against issuing such comment is this that a RB has been judged even before the case has been presented before the courts.Sakeni does presumably have an A level qualification in Law and should know this.Kabimba does have some questions to answer at the ACC offices and should’nt have rashed to parliament to punish RB and turn his own tables when he also needs punishing for corruption .
Educated and and reasonable Zambian. Bravo! Well spoken!
Someone has a point. I think it must ve bn Bwinjimfumu dull tactic. It wasnt Sakeni! PROBLEM with bwinji is the analytical intellignce is pretty low.
Haters why do think every one ion the pf govt is sick.some of you are sick more tHan the people you hate.
But we are not known!
@beckham whatever,I hope you not at city college right here in lusaka.are all your parents alive?
symptoms of mouth diarrhea. God will always punish those who wrong others. Live a simple life and “Let right be done”
You may be in power for some time but you will never be there all the time.
UYU ENA NGA APUSUKA NINSHI PA Z TWAFWA. WHO IS NOT AWARE THAT RB IS A THIEF? THEN HE OR SHE IS AN *****.
BWALYA BULONGE ULICHIPUBA- YOU CANT SEE BEYOND YOUR NOSE STUPID *****.
na iwe wine uli chipuba, ya ba ich pato kwati cha kwa kolwe hahahaha lol
I support Bwalya mulonge 100 percent Sakeni chiwelewele …kabimba waiting for sata to die and kolwe skein vp.
Has Sakeni become the LAW? WHY SHOULD HE ISSUE SUCH STATEMENTS AS IF HE IS A JUDGE or COURT. Zambian Leaders will never learn to respect one another; Sakeni has become a Joker than being a leader. Can’t he just keep quite??
RB ali ba chapwa send the id iot to jail
Okay so instead of growing hair on the head things have changed in Zed, it is hair around the mouth. Takawaba what more pam pu ti
This man is dirty!
why didnt you die iwe..dirty old man..
The Ayatola has spoken.