GOVERNMENT RESPONDS TO LAZ STATEMENT

Government has said that there is need for the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) to inform Republican President Michael Sata of investigations against senior government officials to enable administrative action to be considered.

In a press statement to the media, Chief Government Spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni emphasized that in any civilized society, it is a standard practice for the president to be informed of investigations against senior government officials.

Mr Sakeni who is also Minister of Information added that he is disappointed that Law Association of Zambia President James Banda chose to comment on immigration matters which are currently in the courts of law.

Mr Sakeni further said that government was aware that LAZ will be holding elections in April next year and there is a temptation for those in various offices within LAZ to want to appear to be working adding that government does not want to be part of the electioneering.

Below is the full statement

Republic of Zambia

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services

PRESS STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON HON. KENNEDY SAKENI, MP

We note with interest the statement of the President of the Law Association of Zambia Mr. James Banda.

We are surprised that Mr. Banda has chosen to comment on immigration matters which are currently before the Courts of law. Such a course of action can only be interpreted as a calculated attempt to influence the out come of such court cases.

Although we are aware of Mr. Banda’s contempt of the judiciary, we do not want to be drawn into discussing matters that are subjudice because of the high regard the executive has for the due process of law and the justice delivery system.

As regards Mr. Banda’s comments on the Anti Corruption Commission, we are at pains to comprehend Mr. Banda’s statement which in the one breath decries the necessity to inform the Republican President of allegations against senior members of Government but in the very next breath is calling on the Republican President to suspend serving Ministers pending investigations.

We wish to reiterate that it is for this very reason that the Anti Corruption Commission needs to inform the Republican President of investigations against senior Government officials so that administrative action can be considered. We emphasise that in any civilised democratic society it is standard practice for the President to be advised of investigations against senior Government officials.

Finally, we are aware that LAZ is holding its elections in April, 2013 and there is a temptation for those in various offices within LAZ to grand stand in order to be seen to be working.

We do not want to be a part of the electioneering by Mr. Banda and emphasize that all our offices remain available and open to dialogue with LAZ at all levels.

The Government through the office of the Attorney General and Solicitor General has been working very closely with LAZ on several matters of national interest and of interest to the legal profession. The Government values the contribution of LAZ to matters of national interest and invites the Association to engage the Government on any matters of concern.

Issued by:

Hon. Kennedy Sakeni, MP
MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES
AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON

11thDecember, 2012