Chief Government Spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni has dismissed accusations by opposition Heritage Party leader Godfrey Miyanda that it was deceitful and dishonest for government to claim that the former President would have tampered with evidence if he was allowed to leave the country for South Africa to attend the African Presidential Roundtable meeting.
Brigadier General Miyanda argued why it was so when Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba told the nation that the State had completed investigations at the time the former President’s immunity was being removed.
But Mr Sakeni has described the accusations as misleading and misplaced.
He said the fact that Mr Banda is appearing in court does not in any way stop the investigative agencies from carrying out other investigations about him of suspected wrongdoing.
In a statement issued to ZANIS in Lusaka today, Mr Sakeni stated that the immunity on the former President was removed not only to prosecute him but also to investigate him on any other suspected cases of wrongdoing which the investigative wings of government comes across.
Mr Sakeni, who is also Information and Broadcasting Minister, said there is therefore nothing deceitful and dishonest in the manner government is handling the ongoing investigations on Mr Banda.
He noted that investigative wings should be allowed to carry out thorough and exhaustive investigations in the former President’s suspected wrongdoing to give him an opportunity to respond to all the charges levelled against him.
Mr Sakeni further said government remains consistent and committed to the rule of law and good governance.
Last week former President Rupiah Banda was blocked by the immigration officers at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport from travelling to South Africa where he was invited to go and make a presentation at the 2013 African Presidential Roundtable meeting in Johannesburg.
ZANIS
Ba sekani mwamwaa makwala lelo???
This guy from Nashala neka party what development can he bring to Zambia.iwe akuteka fye inkoko.
Imwe naimwe Ba Ndobo, why can’t Sekani take medicines, bushe mulanda ukunwa umuti. It is important to be a disciplined patient, not Ba Sata who always think of witchcraft.
@nostradamus
you know what! there is a formula for drinking that medicine,,,if you issue a immediately after taking the medicine,,, suspect!! because you will be dizzy…
then there is a window period for normal activity,,,
and not taking medicination has,,,serious withdraw effects… kutulula while issuing a statement..
and so that man might not be issuing that statement in his NORMAL capacity after all!!!..hahahahahah
Mr Sakeni stated that the immunity on the former President was “removed not only to prosecute him but also to investigate him on any other suspected cases of wrongdoing which the investigative wings of government comes across”
This is serious ANYDOING…….COMES ACROSS. THE GENERAL IS THEN CORRECT.
BY THE WAY PF STARTED AS SINGLE PARTY WITH SATA ONLY AND ONE COUNCILOR, BUT HP HAD EVEN MPS
Sounds like a witch hunt to me! How can you arrest somebody first, then start looking for a case to charge him with thereafter?
In my opinion, they have already passed judgement first, then are busy hunting for some crime to pin on him which will stick & get him a maximum sentence according to their satisfaction! This case could go on for years and keep infringing Banda’s human rights, for years on end, unless his enemies accidentally shoot themselves while fidgeting with their guns; have a chance of heart; fall on their heads; or accidentally overdose on their chronic medication!
Sakeni and the rest of the government, you are a bunch of useful *****s.
Miyanda is a nut case in the same category as HH. Useless men
In your not so humble opinion, @Nubian Princess, who in your world do you qualify as a useful man (Prince)? Just wondering.
This govt is full of BS and flimsy excuses to abuse power.Its just bull-sh*t to claim RB would tamper with evidence yet he was to be accompanied by a human surety and wasn’t meeting Nigerians with whom the alleged oil deals took place.
This govt is full of sh8.
This government has no case on RB how can you say now you are investigating now.so you stripped immunity then started looking for wrong doing? Thats a witch hunt.RB left $2.3billion in our reserves for the first time in Zambian history.I would like PF cadres and their govt to please tell us how much of that $2.3billion is still there.Its like someone leaves you a sack of gold and you persecute him over the brass he used to transport the gold to you.
Good one,you can say that again.
Even the brass has value bwana
I really feel sorry and scared for people who shout at Gen. Miyanda. The day he will loose temper, mukomfwako… Because abena Shamwana, Shamenda, Masheke and more still consider that man as wiseman.
The Government is not true to its word- the rule of law. Why treating Former president RB when the court has given a green light. In this case I cannot support the Government. Where is the former president going to run away when he has the state security that provide security to him. The Gov is stepping on Human Rights of RB. RB is just accused let him enjoy his rights. I did not vote for this Gov to be stepping on citizen rights.
I know this is trivial, but Sakeni has the face of an office orderly. (Apologies in advance to office orderlies reading this. No offence meant)
hahahahahahah
Hahahaha kekekekeke… yaba!! This world… no further comment
Go on Sakeni ! Am with you on this one.The general has got it twisted.He is just a desperate man.Too desperate to be heard in the media.It won`t be long before the general withdraws back into his cocoon.He is like an opportunistic infection ready to strike any time he sees an opportunity.
Saulosi do you like anything apart from PF?
….and I mean anything ….like food, your wife, good movies, books…..anything. (Apart from PF)
Saulosi you disgust me you seem to hate Miyanda every time you comment hatred comes out of your mouth pleas be objective always blog on an issue based on the merits and demerits
what you fail to see in Miyanda’s argument is demand for honesty,and truthfulness not deceit what it means is that government went to parliament gave false information saying they had finished investigations all because they wanted to remove immunity now they obviously are investigating the same you cannot afford to be double tongued and telling lies in parliament a minister of Justice only in zambia
Gentlemen it’s does not mean if they court issue an order to give mr Banda his passport then means he will travel. I’m contributing as a Citizen and the enemy of anyone. If there is reasonable ground to suggest mr Banda is going to temper with investigations/ witnesses in South Africa as it were, bearing in mind that this the same country where Mr Banda has based his media assault base and the same country were the govt has Shown undue regard to rule of law and corruption is acceptable. I shudder to say Mr Banda would have thought twice not to allow is lawyer to insult Zambians in SA any move even genuine will be regarded as a another move to instigate cover ups
Hey, Pafwenamwine, I’m a lady! Why are you only addressing the gentlemen? – by the way, I don’t agree.
Gentlemen it’s does not mean if they court issue an order to give mr Banda his passport then means he will travel. I’m contributing as a Citizen and not the enemy of anyone. If there is reasonable ground to suggest mr Banda is going to temper with investigations/ witnesses in South Africa as it were, bearing in mind that this the same country where Mr Banda has based his media assault base and the same country were the govt has Shown undue regard to rule of law and corruption is acceptable. I shudder to say Mr Banda would have thought twice not to allow is lawyer to insult Zambians in SA any move even genuine will be regarded as a another move to instigate cover ups
Again?…
We do have the right to vote, you know. (Us women)
Everyone has his own opinion and Miyanda was simply putting his across as usual! We should concentrate on important issues not ama rubbish ya RB. What is happening between govt and RB will not bring the mealie meal and fuel prices down or even the subsidies back! In Zambia people concentrate too much on trivial issues no wonder we do not develop!
If one accused person, famous for that matter, can be treated like this what more the common people accused of heinous crimes? Because the law does not affect you does not mean that people should not comment on what may affect them. It is a case that every one is a potential accused. We are signatories to international treaties that state that an accused is innocent until proven guilty, so whether it is banda, the observer, nubian princess et al, they should be afforded the same rights. If I complain about hunger, it does not mean that I cannot afford a Subway Sandwich, it is because it affects my neighbour and there may be many others that we do not hear about. Let us be objective…grant the devil his due process; you won’t lose anything.
Shamembwa says it is not government’s responsibility to reduce the cost of living for it’s citizens.
Please rest in peace
This thuggish govt has nothing to go on to nail Rupiah Banda.Its a pure fishing expedition and even their cheap salaula fishing net has big holes.
Ndobo, it takes one with similar symptoms to recognize them in others, dude, thats why you see them in Sakeni. Miyanda, as Nubian Princcess has observed so aptly, is one of those utterly useless politicians such as HH with absolutely nothing to contribute to move Zambia forward. His outlandish ideas are best relegated to the dustbin of history. All he knows is to criticize, no solutions. His idea of providing solutions is hoping that others would one day appoint him “President”, otherwise how else does he expect to get into State House with his one-man party? Like HH, he is incapable of working with others because he is too proud to join others and work with them unless he is at the top. The future for PF is looking good!!
Is it because the Post said so and to you it is gospel truth…It is like whatever Mmembe says brings the sun in people’s lives like you. Since we are independent observers which statement should we get…Sakeni’s????
Chimbwi with a plan
spot on,how does he know these things this painter no wonder he is ever drinking Busted ndobo hahahahaha
@chimbwi no plan
ahh ya! you are right my boy…for one to know anything about `medication` ART or otherwise one has be to sick…. just like for one to know how to drive then he/she has to own a car…hahahahah… i like you blind PF understanding for things
The glaring lack of ability to argue point-for-point by those opposing General Miyanda’s observation speaks volumes and confirms that he is actually right.
There are a lot of dull bloggers on this blog – just like the Govt Spokesperson. What Gen Miyanda has said is based on what Mr Kabimba said during the removal of immunity – and the foolish spokesperson fails to address this essential part. What tampering with evidence when all investigations are already complete?
It?s a question of ?never leave an enemy behind?.
Mr. Robert Amsterdam must advise his client Mr. Rupiah Banda to cancel all future international engagement until his cases are disposed off. Otherwise Mr. Banda will continue to suffer such humiliating experiences. We know Rupiah Banda is not broke so he doesn’t need the allowances from these meetings.
Government be fair , you seem to have selective justice undermining our Laws
even the police are following suit poor man rob day light with police just watching
Kandansa know that these violation of our Laws by your Party will lead to the courts
ordering them just like they ordered them to let their hands off mpundu trust and people to witness their unfairness.
Zambia was quite with Sakeni out of the picture in hospital on a drip and under ARV treatment.
The moment he has come out. All hell has broken loose. God heal Madiba/Mandela for now, replace his sickness and place it on Sakeni.
Just a question. In the event that he’s allowed to go out of the country and does not come back or cannot be extradited back, then who is going to be blamed considering his son Henry did the same.
No has to leave their house to attend a meeting anymore. The former prez should start using Skype or any other VOIP platform to conduct his business. Same applies to Ministers who gala ant the country attending workshops and useless events. They should use Skype. That’s the purpose of the Internet.