GOVERNMENT has lashed out at former President Rupiah Banda for allegedly shielding his sons from facing the law for suspected wrongdoing.
Acting Chief Government spokesperson, Fackson Shamenda said Mr Banda’s utterances when he visited his son, Andrew, at Woodlands Police Station, that he will not allow his fugitive son, Henry, to return to Zambia to face law authorities, confirmed that he wants to protect his children from prosecution.
Andrew was arrested on Thursday last week and later released for allegedly defaming President Michael Sata while in Chipata, in Eastern Province.
Mr Shamenda who is acting Information and Broadcasting Services Minister said the former President’s statements also vindicate Government’s decision to cancel his passport so that he did not evade justice like his son Henry, who is being wanted for alleged wrongdoing.
Mr Shamenda said in a statement in Lusaka yesterday that Mr Banda’s stance was not in conformity with a Head of State, who swore to uphold the Republican Constitution.
“A case in point is when Mr Banda went to Woodlands Police station yesterday to see his son Andrew who was in police custody for alleged defamation of the President. While there, and not unusual, he accused the Government of persecuting his children saying he will never allow his fugitive son Henry to return to Zambia to face the law, as reported in the media.
“This is unfortunate and unacceptable for a former Head of State who swore to uphold the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia before which every citizen is equal. It seems when he was in office, Mr Banda had two laws to govern this country – one for his family, another for ordinary citizens,” he said.
He said Mr Banda should come to terms with the fact that his children, were not above the law and were liable for questioning or prosecution when suspected of breaking the law.
“This is not persecution. This is justice which, provides that all are equal before the law,” he said.
He assured Mr Banda that Government was not vindictive and that it would treat him with the respect he deserved, as former President.
He said Government respected the rule of law and would not interfere with the operations of law enforcement agencies in the investigations and prosecution involving Mr Banda and his children.
And commenting on the results of last Thursday’s by-elections, Mr Shamenda said Government joined Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary General Wynter Kabimba in congratulating the winning political parties namely the PF, the opposition MMD and UPND, on their victories.
He hailed the electorate in the four constituencies, namely Mkushi, Chipata Central, Kafulafuta and Solwezi East, for exercising their democratic right to choose leaders of their choice and for conducting themselves in a peaceful manner, before, during and after the
by-elections.
“The Zambia Police and other law enforcement agencies also deserve commendation for ensuring that law and order prevailed during the by-elections. Ultimately, the winner in these elections are the people of Zambia for whom and with whom we should all work in developing the country regardless of our political affiliation,” he said.
He said Zambians had a duty, collectively and singularly, as citizens, to promote and preserve the good image of the country by acknowledging and embracing the positive strides made in deepening the country’s democracy and development.
Fu*kson Shamenda you’re fu.cked up.Every person has a right to defence including not to be self incriminating.And you said it yourself ati “suspected wrong doing” so you ain’t even sure what you’re accusing them of.
Enka it is you who is F*cked up you F*ool of a took
PF should just concede that due to their poor international relations with our neighbors,they have failed to get assistance to have RB’s son brought to Zambia.Why accuse RB of shielding his son when this is how any reasonable parent should do to their children.Let PF extradite RB’s son from where he has taken shelter.Nobody has stopped them from arresting the young man.RB SHOULD NOT BE BLAMED FOR PF’S INABILITY TO DO THINGS PROFESSIONALLY.
Enka. It is not right to use abusive lannguage when when airing an opinion. We all know and accept that we all can differ at times but this doesn’t mean to swear. Please Zambian, we are smart , clever and good people so let’s us not tarnish our reputation by failing to address our domestic issues.
Fackson,
It is not unusual for Sata to breach the constitution repeatedly. Banda spoke with full consciousness meaning what he said because that is what it is.
Its just unfortunate that govt has reduced itself to trying to govern “individual’s lives” at the expense of national development. The day of reckoning is coming as nothing has escaped the keen Zambian eye.
Theorist. Please try to be practical. No Country can develop with high levels of corruption and lack of respect of law. The issue at hand is is there a law which forbids anyone to insult the president ? And if yes why diidnt Rupiah wait for the matter to go to court and for the courts to deal with the matter. How does Henry’s case come up when the whole purpose of Rupiah going to go to court was to see his son at the police. Is Banda telling us that he and the family are above the Lawyer. I really wonder what) thinks about every Zambian. In actual sense, Rupiah is supposed to ask Henry to return back so that he can vindicate himself of any wrongdoing. Why should one be a fugitive if innocent. I personally think Rupiah knows that Henry is the key to his cases
With a name like Fackson how are you even called by the right name. So let us get this straight a father protecting his child is now accused of not upholding the oath of office he took. Mr.shamenda please explain to us how the oath of office of the president still holds when you have belittled and removed all rights and protections provided to a head of state. The removal of his immunity in and sort of also absolves him of the oath as the two are closely inter related. Additionally only is it Zambia that former heads of state are prosecuted on trumped up charges and have their immunity taken away based on lies. The anarchy is not RB it’s your current president who has no vision and why are u not commenting on his children’s activities. That’s right the bosses kids are off limits for…
This man, looks like he’s eating a hairy bush mouse
first and foremost the state was to quick to arrest andrew but did not do anything about judge ngoma.it will be nice if fackson can also tell us about ngoma his behave.any sensible person can see what the state is doing.it is worst govrment .this gvment does not give hope to the people.useless govrment.
Ba PF and Mr Sata the day of reckoning is fast approaching, if not already here- Zambia is preparing a very ugly coffin for you. You have a bit of time tho! let go Zambian Watchdog reporters, stop the by-elections, open public squares for free press and expression, leave ZWD alone and the biggest of all do away with Fred M’membe.
ba Shamenda why have u abandoned your constituency? and u are forgeting that 2016 is coming remember your being minister is in the hands of Ndola central constituency and you will face us soon and we will reject you!!!!
Look who is talking about justice and respect for the law and its enforcement!
Mr Shamenda please remove a big log in your president eye before you remove a speck in RB’s.When you talk of sworn to uphold the constitution of Zambia,who between RB and SATA here is the culprit in disregarding the rule of the law?What we are seeing the continue prosecution of RB’s family by withdrawing his diplomatic passport which is his entitlement according to the law as former president.If Levy could not do that FTJ why have you done to RB? Sata does not want any one people to critise him.If you critise him then you are arrested as defaming the president.Under Sata’s regime we are witnessing more arrests of citizens who critical to his rule than during the 27 years of KK’s rule.
Fackson , ndiwe galu wa chiwewe.
RB is a true father i give him a hand for that.When a child is in trouble and you are a true parent, no matter how old your sibling is you stand with them.Ever since RB took an oath i don’t remember him relingushing his fatherhood.This makes me to wonder what kind of a parent Fackson is.I think he lucks judgement.
Sata’s children are doing the same. Please do not put butter on our faces.
Mwenkoko mwe. Now I understand why RB used to call you VIMASILU, he knew you more than I did at that time.
F***CKSON or whatever they call you. Please concentrate on delivering what your Pathetic Fools promised the people (12 Bags of Fertilizer, NOT 4).
No one really gives a damn about RB’s Children. It’s 2 years and yet to see anything tangible. CAN YOU BE SERIOUS WITH WORK FOR A CHANGE!!!!!!
PF will go in oblivion quicker than they appeared. The reason is simple: they are focussing all their energies on matters that are not bringing food and decency to Zambians. They want to be on headlines for exchanging bitter words with Mr A or B. This govt. is clear a case of a failed state. They do not know why they were voted for. They have nothing to do but wait for somebody to say something so that they can quickly shoot back. It’s clear now to all Zambians and Fackson’s tantrums are one such preoccupation of this govt.
FACKSON or whatever they call you. Please concentrate on delivering what your Pathetic Fools promised the people (12 Bags of Fertilizer, NOT 4).
No one really gives a damn about RB’s Children. It’s 2 years and yet to see anything tangible. CAN YOU BE SERIOUS WITH WORK FOR A CHANGE!!!!!!
Ulebeya nemyemfu chikamba iwe
If Banda has two laws while he was governing the country, Shamenda you are using up six laws. Which constitution are you referring to when you have office bearers’ who do not qualify for such? save the nation from such ill researched lectures sir.
what MADNESS IS THIS?CAN SHAMENDA THROUGH HIS CHILD IN THE LIONS DEN,CERTAINLY NOT.UNLESS OTHERV WISE. HE ALSO KNOWS SOME OF THE MISTAKES PF HAS MADE, BUT CAN HE CONFESS PUBLICLY, NO HE CANT. R.B IS DOING WHAT ANY LOVING FATHER CAN DO TO THEIR CHILD
What power is RB using to ‘SHIELD’ his son Henry? RB is not President, he has no legal immunity and he cannot travel to South Africa. South Africa has an extradiction agreement with Zambia, so, either GRZ has no case against Henry or it s the South African government shielding him. Why would South Africa, which clearly demonstrates excellent Rule of law better than Zambia ever did, shield a fugitive from justice?
Ba ‘Fackwell’ imwe, muleba bwino!
You are trying to fool Zambians inside Zambia.
You got no shame at all, if I were you I simply keep quiet over this matter because your boss is waste than RB and assure you he will dance Nyauu dance come 2016…
His name is Fackson……… Teeheeheee
And he’s at the ministry of labor ……teeeheeeeheeeheee!
(Yes I know, I have an immature sense of humor)
Shut the Fack up Shamenda
Shut the fackson up! hilaralious. In all seriousness, to sign up to the job of being president of a country is no small matter! You are and always will be in the line of fire for your policies and governance records. I feel pity for those morons who seem to think it is fair for a parent to shield their off springs for any wrong doings in the name of being a loving parent. If Henry took money that belongs to the people zambia by crooked means then he must be brought to book. That case would be tantamount to taking food meant for the starving children in most parts of zambia away from their mouths and sentencing them to death! The consequences of stealing are far reaching and we are building our nation on this phenomenal of ntolelefye nshibile mukwayi! How do you do ntolelefye in my cabin?
Zambians are not serious and as such every new government will steal. How can anyone in there right mind think it is good for RB to encourage his children from accounting for their conduct during their father’s years in power as vice president and as president? If any of his children is accused of wrong doing, RB should be in the forefront of encouraging them to exonerate themselves. How pathetic can be as a people?
We have to start sounding serious about corruption and plunder!
If we continue with our current attitude, we will go nowhere.
Which FATHER would send his son to the slaughter?
OTHER THAN GOD & BIBLICAL CHARACTERS? NONE I’M SURE.
I know my late Dad would have shielded me as Rupiah has done his sons, and I too would proudly shield my son were he wanted by a powerful and vengeful force, that only intends to hurt my family.
We should understand the animal instinct that drove RB to SHIELD HIS CHILDREN, you would be hard pressed to do otherwise.
He said what he meant & I’m sure he will NOT apologies for that.
As our former President and statesman he CAN’T just ignore his various oaths.
The least he can do is to ask his sons to exonerate themselves at any given chance WHILE staying safe.
Well said.