Maravi

Government intention to register London judgment pleases British envoy

Government intention to register London judgment pleases British envoy
By Lovely Kayombo and Ernest Chanda
Thu 23 Feb. 2012, 11:59 CAT

BRITISH High Commissioner to Zambia James Thornton says his government is pleased with Zambia's intention to register the London High Court judgment which ruled against late president Fredrick Chiluba and others.

Speaking during the launch of the Anti-Corruption Commission's (ACC) networking with civil society programme at New Government complex yesterday, High Commissioner Thornton said supporting Zambia in the fight against corruption was a top priority for the UK.

"The situation is that we have seen the press reports about the government looking at the possibility of registering the London High Court judgment here in Zambia and we are pleased of that possibility because it is sending a positive signal. If it (government) is able to do that, then it will be a significant move. We are pleased that government has made fighting corruption a priority because corruption affects everyone in society. Corruption diverts money away from public services and those that need it most, mothers needing health services, children needing education or all men and women needing their pension to be paid," he said.

High Commissioner Thornton said the establishment of offices in all districts by ACC had brought the fight against corruption closer to the people and urged the civil society to be fearless and prove debate on the fight against corruption.

"Zambia of today is a fertile ground for the fight against corruption because it has entered a new phase...it is time for civil society to show leadership and bring about change," he said.

And Transparency Iinternational Zambia president Goodwell Lungu has urged the government not to backtrack on its decision to register the London High Court judgment.

"As TIZ, we have consistently indicated that even the previous government should have registered the London judgment so we feel that the current government should go ahead in registering that judgment. Even the previous Attorney General indicated that the judgment was still active so we hope the PF government will not backtrack on that particular note," said Lungu in an interview.

On Tuesday, justice minister Sebastian Zulu said the government was in the process of preparing a Cabinet memorandum which would decide whether or not to register the London High Court judgment passed in 2007 against Chiluba and others.

Responding to a question from Kabompo West UPND member of parliament Ambrose Lufuma on when the government would register the case in the High Court of Zambia, Zulu said since the issue was started by the MMD government, it was necessary for the PF government to look at it.

Asked by Monze UPND member of parliament Jack Mwiimbu if the procedure would be that Cabinet decided on whether or not to appeal cases instead of the Attorney General's office, Zulu answered in the negative.

"Of course this case was taken to court by the previous government. And it is necessary now to look at it. Of course, procedurally, government has to decide now and has already prepared a memo," Zulu told Parliament.

"It is the intention of the Attorney General to enforce this judgment and they want government input."

In 2007, the London High Court found Chiluba, Faustine Kabwe and Aaron Chungu liable to defrauding Zambians of over US$47 million.

Meanwhile ACC director general Rosewin Wandi said integrity among civil society organisations should be secondary and appealed to all organisations that would be selected to utilise the funds in a transparent manner.

Labels: COURTS, FREDERICK CHILUBA

posted by MrK @ 5:18 PM