Friday, March 29, 2024

Dr Chitalu Chilufya is Innocent until proven otherwise by the courts of law-State House

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State House has issued a statement in support of embattled Health Minister Dr Chitalu Chilufya after criticism from some quarters questioning why the Health Minister has continued to serve despite having been charged with corruption.

“Despite being charged with criminal offenses, in this case, corruption allegations, Hon. Chilufya is currently innocent until proven otherwise by the courts of law, ” read the statement before adding that the assumption is predicated on the principle of Presumption of Innocence which is enshrined in the Constitution of Zambia and is consistent with according an accused Fair Trial.

The statement went on: “According to Article 18 (2) of the Zambian Constitution, every person who is charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed to be innocent until he or she is proved or pleads guilty. And since the Zambia Constitution, as stated in Article 1 (1) overrides any other written law, or customary law, or customary practice, everyone must respect the Presumption of Innocence Law.”

“Therefore, a mere allegation is not a conviction and it is not the duty of the accused to prove his innocence. The principle of Presumption of Innocence until proven guilty by the courts of law is also enshrined in the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights and the International Covenant for Civil and Political Rights.”

Accordingly, the statement read: “His Excellency, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia will, therefore, presume the innocence of Hon. Chilufya and leave it to the prosecution and the courts to prove the minister, otherwise.”

The statement concluded by saying the President respects the Independence of the Judiciary and other Organs such as the Police, the Anti-Corruption Commission, and the Drug Enforcement Commission, among others, and will do nothing to interfere in the operations of these entities as long as he remains President.

40 COMMENTS

  1. PF you are wasting your time putting out this garbage stupid statement everyone saw the out come of this. You are all thieves trying to cover for each other. Some time next year you will be crying in Jail…and those properties this thieve bought in Mansa will be given back to the people.
    I’m so disappointed and discouraged by your behavior.
    PF must go.

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  2. That is lungu…….no moral fiber of integrity in him….zero.
    Stealing is normal for him.

    The least lungu could have done was put chitalu on forced leave while investigations are concluded…

    This is like an accused child rapist continuing to live with his child victim while investigations are going on……tampering of evidence is a real possibility.

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  3. Political influence will surely be brought into this case to benefit Chitalu Chlufya, mark my words.

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  4. Yes we discussed this issue with the president and I fully agree with this approach. Dr chilufya just like any citizen also enjoys freedoms and rights enshrined in our constitution. Once such is the maxim of innocence until proven guilty. Nothing sinister about this. We can’t fire people just because some one points a finger alleging they did something wrong. So if your jealous ex girlfriend alleges you stole should your employer fire you ?

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    • You lunatic, Dr Chilufya is not like any Citizen, he gets paid a hefty salary and allowances by the Citizens, his office commands power that can influence many other public offices, he sits with donors to discuss and manage aid and program support on our behalf, he drives a car with a Zambian flag, in short, he holds a very senior Public office. We are NOT saying he is guilty, we are NOT saying he should be thrown in jail before due process, we are saying he should step down or be removed from the Public office. The public perks and power he enjoys, which ordinary citizens do not enjoy, should come with extra responsibility, accountability, transparency, high moral and ethical conduct …………. get this through your thick skull.

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  5. But who has said he is guilty?
    This is why we say it’s not a good Constitution that ensures the rule of law. It’s the moral Integrity of leaders that counts! The whole idea of a serving minister stepping aside does not mean that Minister is guilty, NO! As a Lawyer, our Kateka should know better that this is meant to inspire confidence and assure Financiacial transparency with donor funds for the Donor Community on which our Health Care depends for funding otherwise we risk everything grinding to a halt!

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  6. Why do the accused suspended in an organisation before conviction? It is due to the image of an organisation on which business depends much more. But PF has broken my heart in the way they have damaged the moral fibre of Zambia. I can’t wait to see them go and jailed. Time is drawing near….many pf members don’t vote . .and HH will take a day to punish these guys. I wil vote for him just to deal with people

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  7. If this case ends with a nolle, the judge who will mess up and fail to follow the right legal procedure should be held responsible for the stolen money.
    PF is using the court as a tool to blind us. Shame on you judges. All of you.

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  8. Chagwa is a very sick joke, which president in the whole entire world and hell would allow a minister arreasted and out on bail to continue saving? This fool is truly maddeing, he has Zairianised Zambia full cycle. Even Mobutu Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu Wa Za Banga was never this daring and kleptomaniac.

  9. There’s an inept argument where some people are saying “President J0n@than is NOT Corrupt, it’s those around him”
    That is a theory can easily be debunked & proved not to hold an ounce of substance.
    Had ba J0n@ be “Suspending” NOT asking for sacking his accused officials until Investigations are over, one would conclude he is serious in tackling Corruption. Unfortunately all President J0n@ cares for is re election & a perpetual stay in Plot 1, like his mentor Mu7 of Uganda.
    The Fact ba J0na has V.@lden in tow on official Government SPEAKS VOLUMES OF THIS MANS MORAL COMPASS, & WILL TO ERADICATE GRAFT.
    Lastly. P.F.MUSTGO!

  10. There you are! We told you, ACC is toothless and wasting its time holding all those conferences. Protecting the guilty is as good as sharing their sin with you before God. Who ever is protecting the guilty will equally have to explain the very sin you are shielding.

  11. KZ we’re not denying Chilufya his due process or his rights.We only demand he steps aside so as NOT to influence the justice process with his high office.Your understanding of ethics/proper governance is very juvenile.

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  12. SOMETIMES THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE MASSES. YOU SHOUT THIEF, THIEF WITH NO EVIDENCE. THEN YOU FORCE THE ACC TO FIND YOUR ACCUSED GUILTY. THE ACC FIND THAT THEY HAVE NOTHING TO LEAN ON. CHILUFYA IS SUSPECTED TO OWN PROPERTY “PRESUMED TO BE PROCEEDS OF CRIME”. THIS IS A VERY DIFFICULT CHARGE TO PROVE UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES. YOU HAVE TO PROVE WHEN AND WHERE THE CRIME WAS COMMITTED. HE WILL PROVE TO YOU THAT HE HAS BEEN RECEIVING HEFTY ALLOWANCES EVERYTIME HE TRAVELLED. AND USING HIS ALLOWANCES HE BUILT HIS PROPERTY. CHITALU IS A THREAT TO HIS COLLEAGUES. HE IS PRESIDENTIAL MATERIAL AND HIS ENEMIES FROM WITHIN AND WITHOUT ARE TRYING VERY HARD TO THROW MUD ON HIM TO DENT HIS IMAGE. BUT TIME WILL TELL.

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  13. It’s true he’s innocent until proven and we wish him well.

    However a statement of support from OP is not necessary. A little distance gives the law space and a little less foreboding.

    Garden leave during investigations maybe good but accept paying salary during that time is costly especially if another has to replace temporarily.

  14. Thieves defending each other and what do you expect from Edgar Lungu?

    The real fight against corruption will come after 2021.

    PF must go!

  15. Why was Chellah not granted bail? All he had said was tell the truth. The Minister is purported to have acquired a lot of wealth(stealing from Zambians) and he did not spend a day in jail. I like how PF is always giving itself an own goal. Guys, we are tired of you! 2021, you are gone already! And finally we will have the rule of law. If you have stolen from us(Zambians), be afraid, be very afraid…..

  16. What else should we expect from this corrupt government. whatever chilufye did had a evil blessing from the ring leader, and how can you expect the ring leader to do otherwise. I don’t expect much from this government with kaisala as intelligent shingananani, busy commenting on each and every article on lusaka time with bundles bought using taxpayer money.
    #insoni ebuntu #ichalo bantu

  17. Kabanshi’s crime was touching donor funds…incompetent Lazy Lungu wants to stand again really laughable…you cant even excuse your minister another one who will be driving himself to with a flag on his vehicle. Just look at the changes in Malawi compared to this bum we have in State House.

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  18. When it comes to his friends , Lungu is having his bread buttered on both sides because it is the same Lungu who suspended Mtembo Nchito even before his case was concluded by the courts. He says one thing with one corner of his mouth and means another thing with the other side . The reasons why Chitalu should be suspended is because he will access to the same evidence which the ACC will use against him . What can stop him from destroying it ?Zambians are now sure that the shredders have been very busy at the ministry and there will be no evidence left .

  19. When it comes to his friends , Lungu is having his bread buttered on both sides because it is the same Lungu who suspended Mtembo Nchito even before his case was concluded by the courts. He says one thing with one corner of his mouth and means another thing with the other side . The reasons why Chitalu should be suspended is because he will have access to the same evidence which the ACC will use against him in court . What can stop him from destroying it ?Zambians are now sure that the shredders have been very busy at the ministry and there will be no evidence left . This so called fight against corruption is a stage show .

  20. The genius son of Africa, Professor Lumumba said ” We are co-authors of our misfortunes …. We elect Hyenas to take care of our Goats….and when the Goats are consumed, we wonder why”

    This situation is pointing in one direction, change. We will see who is the employer and employee next year. Enough is enough

  21. Double standard,why he didn’t respect the con court ruling on ministers paying back the money?

  22. We are a country which respects its constitution. Why should we throw a highly trained doctor to the dogs because of political expedience? I ECL had fired Dr Chilufya you would have heard comments that he is afraid of competition

  23. When one loses conscience, one cannot recognise wrong from right. We are at this point unfortunately in our country. He was arrested. What has happened to his moral fabric? This is why most public servants just do what they want. The allegations are serious that he cannot hold public office while investigations are going on. But maybe this is the standard in the PF led government. Very disappointing!!

  24. WHEN WE COME IN POWER THE FIRST ORGAN TO SUE FOR MORE DETAILED INVESTIGATIONS TO GIVE US THESE CRIMINALS TO ARRESTS WILL BE ACC. AS AT NOW YES THE COURTS WILL DECLARE CHILUFYA CHITALU AS INNOCENT BUT ACC HAS RECORDS AND PLEASE KEEP THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONES WE SHALL BASE ON SINCE YOU DETAINED HIM AS A THIEF. COURTS WILL ACQUIT CHITALU TODAY BUT WE SHALL INSTITUTE NEW CASES BASING ON ACC FINDINGS. UMULANDU TAUBOLA BAMAMBALA

  25. We all know PF is not interested in serving Zambians. They are only interested in serving ECL and getting rich. Look at how we are suffering and they are getting rich.
    Why should we vote for them again?

  26. @ 22 KZ, Lusaka Times, KZ is turning your site a platform for insulting individuals for merely expressing an opinion. It would be unfortunate if LT is promoting these direct insults that have nothing to do with issues in discussion.

  27. Dr Chitalu Chilufya is Innocent until proven otherwise by the courts of law-State House
    Chellah Tukuta is guilty until proven otherwise by the courts of law-State House

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