By Kahlatswayo Cele

Given certain conditions, one as an individual, may choose, concerning a rotten apple, whether to eat it wholly, cut off the rotten portion and proceed to eat only the unaffected portion or simply throw away the whole apple into the rubbish bin, whatever the case may be. However, one as an individual has no basis whatsoever, concerning the same apple, if certain conditions prevail, to impose what a whole people should do with it. It would suffice, if one had a genuine public concern, to simply warn the public about the true state of the apple!

On the surface details, Mr. Stephen Lungu, the current President of the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ), despite the seemingly bona fide appeal, is unfairly selective as to what he intends the public to know what their ‘Professional opinion’ is when commenting on the plunder case surrounding allegations against former Zambian President, Dr. FTJ Chiluba, in particular, with regard to what LAZ’s obligation is to the public. If LAZ’s main and honest concern is to serve ‘public interest’ then the public deserves from them unobtrusive, unbiased, fair and balanced amount of commentary.

Regarding Justice Hamaundu’s London Court Judgement, on one hand, LAZ via Mr. Lungu, chooses through the media to announce what it conceives to be Its obligation and duty to ‘public interest’, but on the other hand , forgets that, for instance, of equal public concern and interest, and of significant bearing on the overall case, is LAZ’s position regarding the allegations of professional misconduct against the lawyer who had been the leading advocate for the prosecution.

As far as certain sections of the public are concerned, this Lawyer had allegedly been given room to ‘usurp the powers of the DPP’, giving reason to believe that the whole process of justice was circumvented, putting to question the very motive underlying the investigations and as such the very credibility of the case. LAZ appears to have deliberately avoided this issue.

This is the aspect underwritten in their (LAZ) selective public comments. One wonders the sapience in choosing to be so selective as to risk to be seen to be biased.

To follow Mr. Lungu’s inference to ‘public interest’, it should not be left out of the arena by LAZ what their stance is concerning the allegations of misconduct against this leading figure, in retrospect of the whole process, which in many peoples opinion, is of significant ‘public interest’. Over this matter, they have remained ostensibly mute. This is the obvious and deductable premise for this article.

Mr. Lungu in publicly attacking and making sweeping statements against the decisions of the Judiciary does incredible injustice to LAZ’s reputation as a non partisan Professional body and risks plunging the nation into a constitutional crisis. He has brought unnecessary suscpicion over what LAZ really stands for in its current make-up.

LAZ as a Professional Body has the obligation to dispel suscpicion by tapering their public statements with Professional integrity, not feeding fire to the flames, as they do when they publicly attack Judge Hamaundu’s judgement. They have, however, been evidently quiet concerning some of the ‘hanging’ issues which could potentially impact public opinion.

It appears inordinate yet selective, how on their part (LAZ), pop in and pop out, choosing only when it is convenient to make public what their ‘Professional opinion’ is, deliberately it would seem, using latitude, to stir and influence the public towards their stance, denying the public vital knowledge to make informed and independent conclusions. This is not in line with the spirit and aim of statutory mandate Mr. Lungu alludes to when he toes this ‘public interest’ line.

It is not the aim to impugn anyone. However, this inconsistency in LAZ at best could be downright naivity, to the extent of exploitation, at worst professional impudence on the part of Mr. Lungu.

[pullquote]It appears inordinate yet selective, how on their part (LAZ), pop in and pop out, choosing only when it is convenient to make public what their ‘Professional opinion’ is, deliberately it would seem, using latitude, to stir and influence the public towards their stance, denying the public vital knowledge to make informed and independent conclusions. This is not in line with the spirit and aim of statutory mandate Mr. Lungu alludes to when he toes this ‘public interest’ line.[/pullquote]

Where can one draw the line?

As far as LAZ is concerned, what determines that one aspect of the case is of ‘public interest’, requiring their specific public comment, and another is not? The whole approach LAZ has taken is uninspiring, removing rather than adding to the process of justice.

It is easy to sense obscurity as to what ‘public interest’ is, in as far as what Mr. Lungu understands his institution’s mandate to ‘public interest’ is. But, this is also the platform and basis on which it seems, Mr. Lungu and disgruntled elements in LAZ, choose to launch their insidious campaign from. Otherwise, why is Mr. lungu being so selective in his comments?

What is this ‘Public Interest’? Is it not Justice. Mob justice? Most people can understand to a great extent if these lopsided comments and attacks come from sections of the private media who ‘play to the gallery’ by the very nature of their engagement, but for a Professional Body such as LAZ to engage in the same, is inexcusable. Perhaps one could blame the nature of ‘Part-time’ arrangement LAZ office bearers operate under such that they do not give total and due dillegence to the issues that confront them and as a result, this ineptitude. Compare the effort and concern the Justice Hamaundu gave to page his 200+ judgement report only to be questioned via a single paged document prepared and drafted overnight. What insolence!

[pullquote]What is this ‘Public Interest’? Is it not Justice. Mob justice?[/pullquote]

With this attitude, it is easy to understand why our governance and democracy system sometimes gives way to be seen as ‘mere metaphor’ for when it is absolutely expedient and imperative to give confidence and credence, the players are engaged in mere rhetorical and impressionable activity. LAZ has certainly not given their best effort in this matter despite the influence they want to exert.

Therefore the conjecture that Mr. Lungu is in complicity in using LAZ as a platform and tool hijacked for political and/or other agenda for certain interested elements is not far fetched. Their manner of comments on the ‘London Court Judgement’ has certainly raised genuine concern over their professionalism (lack of it). LAZ as a professional body must avoid to be seen to be taking sides if it is to remain credible and above reproach.

Every case in the public courts is of significant impact and influence, as are the decisions out of them, which are the basis or outcome of Judicial precedence, differing only in degree.

The Aliance for Demcoracy and Development ADD president, Charles Milupi has charged the ruling movement for Multi Party Democracy MMD government has been very lenient with those abusing public resources.

Mr. Milupi says that government needs to responsibly send a clear message to everyone engaging in corrupt activities by taking decisive actions.

Mr Milupi indicates that the auditor general should not be made to seem rhetoric just because government is not willing to act on the ills revealed.

He says that once government begins to take action against all those found wanting, those who have consistently brought Zambia’s name into disrepute will learn the lesson.

He however notes that if the republican leaders and all those in authority decide to take lightly, the highlights given by the AG’s office, corruption will remain as the order of the day.

Mr. Milupi says that action needs to be seriously taken against all those found to be guilty of abusing their office and power.

He says that every Zambian should be devoted to ensure that every resource meant for the benefit of the general citizenry is used transparency and accounted for.

QFM

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all His commands…you will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country”
(Deuteronomy 28:1-3, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Do you want to experience more of God’s blessing in your life? Living in obedience and integrity is the key that unlocks the door to His abundance. When you put God and His Word first place in your life, the Bible says you’ll be blessed in the city and in the country—you’ll be blessed wherever you go!

This chapter in the Bible goes on to say that you will be so blessed that you will lend and not borrow. Can you see yourself in that position? Can you see yourself living in that kind of abundance?

See, God doesn’t want you to be living with a barely-get-by attitude. We don’t serve a barely-get-by God; our God is more than enough! He wants you to have more than enough to meet your needs and be a blessing to the people around you.

I encourage you today to make room in your life for the blessing of God. Choose to live in obedience to His Word. Choose to follow His commands. As you do, you will rise up higher and live the abundant life God has for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, thank You for Your hand of blessing on my life. I choose today to put You first in everything I do. Help me to walk in integrity and follow Your commands so that I can honor You always. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

– Joel & Victoria Osteen

The Movement for Multi party Democracy (MMD) says it will get rid of former of former Finance and National Planning minister Ng’andu Magande and his former defence counterpart George Mpombo before it holds its national convention.

MMD National Chairman Michael Mabenga said Mr Magande and Mr Mpombo will be gotten rid of from the party before the national convention is held.

He said the party is working on expelling the two Members of Parliament before the convention takes place.

Asked as to whether this is a gimmick to block the two parliamentarians from challenging for the MMD presidency, Mr. Mabenga said the duo do not qualify to contest for any position in the party because they have violated so many party regulations.

He added that Mr Magande and Mr Mpombo have no place in the ruling party following their attacks on President Rupiah Banda and the MMD national leadership.

Mr Mabenga noted that the ruling party requires six to seven billion kwacha to hold its national convention successfully.

Mr Mabenga, however, failed to disclose how much the party has raisd so far.
[ QFM ]

THE British government has said it is pursuing the Zambian Government’s request for the extradition of former Zambian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Attan Shansonga with State authorities on government-to-government channels.

But the Government has said it did not have any role to play in the London High Court verdict that found second Republican president Frederick Chiluba and seven others liable for the loss of US$46 million.

The British government said Zambia had already recovered, in Belgium and elsewhere, substantial sums of money as a result of the London judgment.

According to a statement issued by the Press and public affairs section of the British High Commission yesterday, it was however the British government’s longstanding policy and practice neither to deny nor confirm that they had received an extradition request unless the subject has been arrested in relation to the request.

“However, because Mr Shansonga was resident in England he fell under the jurisdiction of London courts. He was tried as a defendant in the above case, found liable, and the Zambian authorities subsequently recovered significant sums of money from him,” reads the statement in part.

[Times of Zambia]

The Movement for Multi Party Democracy (MMD) Chairperson for Security Ronnie Shikapwasha has expressed confidence the MMD will scoop the Mpulungu parliamentary seat.

The Mpulungu parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of the Member of Parliament (MP) Lameck Chibombamilimo.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka, Lieutenant General Shikapwasha urged the electorates of Mpulungu district in the Northern Province to vote for the MMD for Chibombamilimo’s legacy to continue and to accelerate developmental projects in the area.
[pullquote]”The ruling MMD will retain the Mpulungu parliamentary seat because we have done a lot as a government and sitting-Government,” he said.[/pullquote]
The MMD Chairman for Security warned against violence in the Mpulungu by-election and appealed to the opposition political parties to exhibit political maturity in their campaigns.

Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha, who is also Information and Broadcasting Services Minister and Government Chief Spokesperson, regretted that the opposition political parties politicised the death of Mr. Chibombamilimo.

Lt-Gen. Shikapwasha observed that whilst the ruling party-MMD was mourning their member, the opposition was busy campaigning in Mpulungu.

“The ruling MMD will retain the Mpulungu parliamentary seat because we have done a lot as a government and sitting-Government,” he said.

He stated that MMD was not worried of the PF/UPND Pact because Government had taken development to the area and was still implementing developmental projects in Mpulungu district.

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has not yet set the date for the Mpulungu parliamentary by election.

[ ZANIS ]