Government says the stance taken by Vice President George Kunda and Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Chalwe Muchenga does not amount to indiscipline.
Reacting to calls by Patriotic Front leader Micheal Sata, to have the Vice President and the DPP removed, Chief Government Spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha charged that the calls demonstrate Sata’s ignorance of the Zambian judiciary.
Lt. Gen Shikapwasha says the calls to remove the DPP and Vice President, who is also Justice Minister, for alleged misconduct in the acquittal of former President Frederick Chiluba has further shown Mr. Sata’s hypocrisy.
Lt. Gen Shikapwasha, who is also Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, said in a statement to ZANIS in Lusaka this afternoon, that although the PF leader has a right to express his opinion on the acquittal, he is not granted to demand the circumvention of the legal process.
He charged that it was hypocritical for Mr. Sata to assert that an appeal was obligatory for all acquittals when he did not demand an appeal against his own acquittal on theft charges seven years ago.
Lt. Gen. Shikapwasha said Mr. Sata’s displeasure with the court’s ruling was not justifiable enough to charge Vice President and the DPP of misconduct.
“The Vice President as Minister of Justice and the DPP have rightly asserted the fact that an appeal arising from a prosecution that was being conducted on behalf of the DPP has to have the latter’s approval. Mr. Sata should also be reminded that in 2002 as PF leader smarting from resigning as Minister without portfolio a few months earlier was acquitted by the Lusaka Magistrate courts on charges of theft of a Hyundai Sonata and Toyota Land Cruiser valued at K15.8 and 40 million respectively” he said.
He said an appeal has to be approved by the DPP adding that lawyers from the Task Force on Corruption can only exercise their powers on his behalf.
Lt. Gen Shikapwasha further said the DPP had stated that the Task Force on Corruption had no power to make an appeal without his approval and he would advise the way forward after studying the lower court’s ruling.
He has since advised Mr. Sata to conduct himself in an orderly manner and uphold the law and justice irrespective of the status of the person appearing before the courts.
He further stated that Mr. Sata’s statement had demonstrated that he could not be trusted to uphold the law.
Lt. Gen Shikapwasha said even the PF constitution clearly states how PF would control public institutions which includes the judiciary by ensuring that holders are committed to achieving PF goals.
ZANIS
Local government and housing minister Ben Tetamashimba has been moved from South Africa to Lusaka.
Radio Phoenix reports that Tetamashimba was brought in the country Tuesday evening and admitted to intensive care unit of the University teaching hospital.
Quoting hospital sources, the radio station says Tetamashimba’s condition is not stable
It bothers me that the talk about this pygmy marmoset monkey has now penetrated the thinking mechanism of everybody. He is not a saint but a shameless, unrepentant common thief. He has no heart, he robs the poorest of the poor and later mocks them. Only God will judge him……May he not enjoy a penny of what he stole. AMEN
Shikapwasha cimbwi iwe. What your problem?
We the People want to appeal so why stop us. Ububi ba swaini imwe.
So Let our Leader that Life is not theirs , that why they should not take the poor for granted , This Rev above is also a shame, his mouth runs like Victoria falls . We need people who when they stay will be mourn like the American did with the death of Kennedy, who helped the Black man became the president of the USA. Let the Zambia people stand up and fight the system that oppress you and the generation to come.
Pa Z .Awe bwafya with jokers like abena ronnie for politicians, katwishi ilyo bukacha kwena
when is shikas going to RSA tutusheko, we have had peace since TETA was evacuated n MULONGOTI is keeping low for once hope he keeps it that way…SHIKAS your ward is waiting for your evacuation…
# 1 are you sure about TETA ? its sad mwe i pray that he recovers, but to stay away from media. we enjoyed some peace for while.i know he is a rant but he surely needs to getwell.
Awe shuwa ba shikapwasha, bwe bwe bwe . Mukanwa uku fita.
Teta yaka kakana, kwa shala kafupi. Anyway should it get worse ama hummer bali shita kale
Iwe chi Sikapwasha ne chi kanwa kwati ni fubu
#7 I can see u is in Denmark too. Which part is you living?
Too much comedy pa zed sorrounded by leaders who dont know what zambians needs and deny them their rights to appeal as stupilated in our own constitution.
Anyway pa zed tulandalandafye with no actions to back up reasons for talking, too docile kind of zambian attitude
IT IS TRUELY A COMEDY OF ERRORS PA ZED. I AM ENJOYING IT.
Sata`s acquittal is a planned move by MMD to use it against Him so that he cannot talk……Ronnie what kind of pastor\general is he?? serious i pit the day when he leves office…zambian always laugh last… remember Castro(Rip)days…
Ala ba Teta nalunya abanensu. Twa unfwa ati bafikilile mu UTH ICU through the VIP door. Awe mwandini epofye pa RSA bafilwa, ninshi nalunya.
At least he did not get back as cargo and this should be a lesson to all the MMD old chaps.
But, when shall we be free of RB, Shikapwasha and Mulongoti? 2011 is too far, awe mwe!
Iwe chi “two chicken”, why did Mrs Mwanawasa refuse to shake your hand at her husband’s memorial service? Bushe uli indoshi? Levy pulled you from the dustbin and for you to turn against his family in such a matter, it is shameful sure.
How stupid. How can one appeal his own acquittal. Gen please research before you talk. Remember Jesus was innocent but was convicted while a criminal called Barubbas was acqitted. So dont talk about judiciary fimo fimo. If LPM was alive you were going to support the calls for the appeal against FTJs acquittal. But you are like water, you change colour according to your container, this time RB.
How seechupid. How can one appeal against his own acquittal. Gen please research before you talk. Remember Jesus was innocent but was convicted while a criminal called Barubbas was acqitted. So dont talk about judiciary fimo fimo. If LPM was alive you were going to support the calls for the appeal against FTJs acquittal. But you are like water, you change colour according to your container, this time RB.
If Zambians do not want RB as President in 2011, please do not have Sata in his stead. Sata has clearly shown that he does not respect the due process of law. He once declared that when he becomes President he would drop charges against Chiluba. What this means is that he as President will be interfering with the judiciary. He has been in and out of courts as well as in prison himself and that means he will be charging people left right and centre for no reason at all. He is a snake. he is vindictive. He is a chancer and will do anything to take power. He hates mainland Chinese but not Taiwan Chinese. That shows a lack of understanding of world geography and international politics. Sata will draw Zambia back to the 19th century. RB out, but who in?
May the Almighty God heal Benny Tetamashimba, despite being a rant the man was aformidable politicians. He has always been like that since his school days at Mwinilunga Secondary School.
AS for Sata, he is a politician but one wonders how he has changed his stance on FTJ. PF used to be in solidality with FTJ be it going RSA for medical treatment or going to court for his cases. Its PF around. Sata is now calling FTJ names on his a/c of associating with RB. The best Sata could do is solve the rift with his rebel MPs coz they will cost him votes in 2011 if at he going to be around.
uko Big nose has smelled once again. Nothing passes that nose for sure
#18, good observation about Sata. hes been tuaght a lesson.
people should learn to be consistent and not just have blind loyalty. As for Shikapwasha, this man really surprises me. He speaks so much nonses he can make you cry!!
People should remember that in 2006 when Chiluba join Sata, Sata siad he suspend trial against Chiluba when he becomes president, trully sata is just a snake.
Sata said on radio nthat he changed his mind after seeing the report Mwanawasa showed him…