Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) has condemned in the strongest terms the continued release and pardoning of convicted Former Ministers from Zambian prisons. In a statement released to the media by the Executive Direct Goodwell Lungu, TIZ said that the Release of Hon Austin Liato Former Labour Minister yet again has not come as a surprise but has been received with great dismay.
” As far as TIZ is concerned, this is not a right trend, we are opposed to it and it must be stopped immediately as it is detrimental to the fight against corruption and undermines the doctrine of separation of powers which is the bedrock for promotion of good governance, ” read the statement
Below is the full statement
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TIZ CONDEMS THE PARDONING OF CONVICTED FORMER MINISTER AUSTIN LIATO AS
IT UNDERMINES THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION
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Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) condemns in the strongest terms the continued release and pardoning of convicted Former Ministers from Zambian prisons. The Release of Hon Austin Liato Former Labour Minister yet again has not come as a surprise but has been received with great dismay. We view the government tendency to pardon convicted former Ministers serving prison sentences on the pretext of being sick as a form of political manipulation and a travesty of justice.
TIZ is deeply disappointed that these former Ministers continue to serve only a short period of time in prison and are released on the so called medical grounds when there are so many prisoners in Zambia who have much more serious health conditions and yet have received a blind eye from authorities.
As far as TIZ is concerned, this is not a right trend, we are opposed to it and it must be stopped immediately as it is detrimental to the fight against corruption and undermines the doctrine of separation of powers which is the bedrock for promotion of good governance. The pardons being made amount to abuse of authority and the Executive must realize that it is eroding the very foundation of fairness and good order in our society. It is sending a message that criminality and corruption pays as long as one can render political support to the ruling party.
This is a dangerous path because “criminals” will take over Zambia and hold the state captive.
Going by recent events, one can conclude that there is selective justice that only favours political friends to the government and the rich, while the poor and wrongly accused persons endure maximum sentences and some die in prisons despite being sick. As such we feel this is immoral because we believe that these convicted leaders should serve their sentences as a deterrent mechanism to other leaders to desist from engaging in similar behavior but lead by example.
These recent trends have brought serious questions on whether the current Patriotic Front government value the fight again corruption because these events have greatly compromised the fight against corruption in the country and slowly hindering whistle blowers.
If unchecked, this is setting a very bad precedence for our current and future political leaders. This is because they will be using this precedence to engage in criminal activities by finding ways of securing pardons from Presidents and Authorities at the beginning of serving their prison terms.
We therefore appeal to government and all law enforcers to exercise great caution and put national interest instead of selectively applying the law to prop up sectarian political interests. It is unfair and unwarranted to take such a route if we have to hold society accountable for their actions especially convicted political leaders.
Goodwell Lungu
Executive Director.
President Lungu will be remembered only for releasing corrupt criminals from prison nothing else apart from that any was it is not a surprise remember he also lost his law practice licence when he chewed client’s money, that is why it is important to only put people with no criminal past in state house and best to avoid poor chaps holding that office Lungu is a good example of very bad leadership in the history of Zambia.
This is sad and Ministers will continue abusing office. The pardon is not Guinean, its all thieves working together.
These public criminals must serve their time, pardoning them is sending the wrong message to wanna be plunderers like Kambwili.
Mwanawasa was the man. Kashiwa Bulaya and Richard Sakala saved their sentences. Edgar is an extremely weak president , low in confidence and self esteem. He is vulnerable to manipulation. He has no vision. He can not stand up for anything and therefore he will fall for anything.
@Nubian
send that comment to your `uncle` lungu, the man you dance ndendeule for !!!!
Liato has paid back to society by having his property forfeited to the state as well as the cash. What other punishment would you want him to go through. The state has got what was stolen
so u people sure the big man is sik u wanted him to die sure in prison be human
Criminals must lot in jail people die because of their crime we can’t just link directly how some of those criminals we call ministers kill people if you still money for farming inputs you kill people just becouse you want an extra shaggy rubbish he should have paid with his life need be
There is only a very small difference between a prostitute and the current Govt. both take your money and then completely **** you in return. The only difference is the prostitute is at least honourable. They at least tell you they are going to completely **** you, before they take your money.
President Mwanawsa and the looting of K838 billion from the Zambian National Oil Company, 4 Oct 2005
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Release date
August 2, 2009
Summary
This 108 page…
Comment:
True, the PF government should not apply the primitive principle.of selective . justice, now or ever again. All criminals, irrespective of who they were, or what their statuses were ought.to serve their time in jail.
To be fair how many ex ministers have been released from prison naimwe ba reporter? Te Liato fye?
The consequence of freedom without responsibility is severe punishment and later death. Let us be very responsible leaders.
Please LT, what happened to Gladys Nyirongo? This lady could have quietly died in jail and nobody is aware
Please release the woman from zambia railways who was charged together with Pro. Clive Chirwa that case is very unfair she never used a single penny on her self please she is a single mother not those crooks you are letting go.
Passion must be acted as well as lived. Man’s original sin is his failure to be the other man. Yes, if it were Goodwel himself in Liato’s shoes, his family would have cried tears of JOY enough to run a turbine.
Now that this fat bastard is out of prison, he will back to his same old tricks. These fat bastards are never rehabilitated.
IN ZAMBIA IT’S LET’S KILL THE BIG CATS, LET’S STOLEN BURRY BILLIONS ON OUR FARMS IT DOESN’T TAKE MUCH TO AVOID A JAIL SENTENCE, LET’S BUY PETROL FROM NIGERIA THAT WASN’T THERE IT ONLY TAKES SUPPORTING A POLITICAL CANDIDATE TO BE ACQUITTED, LET’S MAKE MONEY FROM LIQUIDATION OF PUBLIC COMPANIES COS WHICH WE GET RICH WE WILL BECOME UNTOUCHABLES, ETC, ETC.
The fact that the Liato guy has been pardoned is not even a big issue the bigger issue is that the guy is fat. Fat people are likely to re-offend. They should not be allowed back into society once convicted. Liato is a danger to aany society. Get him back in with Kanene and the others that were released by Guy Scott.
MMD still ruling….
BA TIZ don’t just talk, kindly appeal