The Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) has opposed the idea of restoring former President, Dr Frederick Chiluba’s immunity as doing so is unconstitutional.

FODEP chairperson for Legal sub-committee, Charles Chanda, has since urged the Speaker of the National Assembly not to convene a special session as doing so will tantamount to use parliament to engage in unconstitutional business which is ultra vires in its jurisdiction.

He said that immunity enjoyed by the president during tenure of office is not a right but a privilege which can be taken away at any time in accordance with the law and that parliament has no authority to restore Dr Chiluba’s immunity as it cannot confer that which it as no powers to do.

Mr Chanda said the foundation is concerned with the current events of the aftermath judgment which is raising fundamental constitutional and jurisprudential issues which are very important for the good democratic, transparent and accountable governance firmly founded on the rule of law.

Meanwhile, Mr Chanda has said FODEP is happy to that the Task Force on Corruption has decided to appeal against the said judgment on behalf of the Zambian people in whose name all prosecutions are conducted.

Mr Chanda called upon all the leaders and citizens to respect democratic institutions that have been created and submitted to their authority, saying the leaders must lead by example and not to condemn those institutions that they were party to and whose authority they also benefited from.

This is contained in a press statement released to ZANIS.

ZANIS

President Rupiah Banda says the courts will determine whether former President Frederick Chiluba is entitled to the $8 Million US dollars he claims to have deposited in the government ZAMTROP London account.

Mr. Banda says Zambia has a credible legal system that has to be followed in addressing such claims.

He was responding to journalists at the Lusaka International Airport shortly before departure for Swaziland on a two-day state visit.

The President said the courts should be left to determine legal issues.

Dr. Chiluba is demanding his money held in the ZAMTROP account during his reign.

The former President contends that the money obtained from well wishers was deposited in the ZAMTROP London account for safe custody.

According, to Dr. Chiluba the money was from his friends and well wishers who wanted to contribute towards the construction of the FTJ Institute of Democracy and Good Governance.

Dr. Chiluba was recently acquitted on charges of theft of public funds.
[ZNBC]

President Rupiah Banda has officially launched the national anti corruption policy with renewed commitment to upholding zero tolerance to graft.

Mr. Banda has also announced that a new legal regime will be put in place to fight corruption.

The President has urged Members of Parliament to support the bill which will be tabled before parliament in due course.

Mr. Banda says the policy on corruption will provide a framework for a coordinated approach to the fight against corruption.

Speaking during the launch of the policy in Lusaka on Thursday Mr. Banda said the fight against corruption needs concerted efforts from all citizens.

Mr. Banda said there is need to publicise the policy in order to win the support of all Zambians.

He also urged the civil society and the private sector to formulate strategies that will compliment government efforts in fighting corruption.

Anti Corruption Commission-ACC Chairperson Justice, Valentine Chileshe said the fight against corruption still remains a challenge in Zambia.

He called for concerted efforts in the fight against the vice.

And Head of the British Department for International Development DFID, Mike Hammond, praised the Zambian government for formulating the national anti corruption policy.

Mr. Hammond said the British government is ready to support Zambia in the implementing of the policy.

Vice President George Kunda,cabinet ministers and members of the diplomatic corp attended the launch.

[ZNBC]

The acting Executive Chairman of Taskforce on Corruption says will determine what to do with out-standing criminal allegations against Former President, Frederick Chiluba, after studying the cases.

Godfrey Kayukwa who is also Anti-Corruption Commission Director General, says he needs to scrutinise the allegations and consult extensively before making a decision.

Llieutenant Colonel Kayukwa told ZNBC news in Lusaka that he has not yet looked at files containing the allegations against Dr. Chiluba.

He however confirmed that he has received all the hand over notes from his predecessor, Max Nkole.

Colonel Kayukwa said there is need to study the allegations before deciding the way forward.

Mr. Nkole while serving as Task Force Executive Chairman said he wanted to open the Carlington Maize scam and the Arms deal cases involving Dr. Chiluba.

Dr. Chiluba was acquitted recently on charges of theft of public funds amounting to $500,000.

[ZNBC]