President Levy Mwanawasa says he would only take action against Finance Deputy Minister Jonas Shakafuswa after parliament has disposed off the case and if he feels there is need for him to take action.
President Mwanawasa said he will be prejudicing the action which parliament is dealing with if he decides to take action against the deputy minister.
He said the clerk of the National Assembly Doris Mwiinga has confirmed that the house is investigating the case.
‘ Am afraid I will disappoint you, I will not take action until parliament dispossess of the case, and I will only do so when I think that there is further need for me to move ,’ he added.
Dr. Mwanawasa said he was aware that people have labeled him all sorts of names, as a person who is a tribalist and one who seeks to protect his relatives.
He however said the Deputy Minister was his nephew and that he did not apply to be his uncle neither did the Mr. Shakafuswa apply to be his nephew.
He said Mr.Shakafuswa was appointed as Deputy Minister on the fact that he could deliver.
“ Are you not being unfair by expecting me to take action, dismiss Shakafuswa before allow the legislative body to do what ever it has to do.
Why is it that when it involves your interest you want me to abandon the rule of law, I will not decide on the popular wills of the people ,’ he said
The President was reacting to recent calls from some members of parliament for him to dismiss finance deputy minister over his remarks he altered in parliament which the women movement are saying were an insult to the women.
The President reiterated that as a custodian of the constitution, which he will rule by the laws and not by men.
Dr. Mwanawasa added by being a lawyer that he is deemed to know the law which he does abide by the Zambian would accuse him of not following the law.
He said Zambians could have forgiven First Republican President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda and Second Republican President Dr. Fredrick Chiluba because they did not know law.
“Am sorry it too late to reverse things, you voted for a lawyer and you should be ready to stick to the law, Mr. Mwanawasa said at State House today.