. BANDA

By XAVIER MANCHISHI and PERPETUAL SICHIKWENKWE –
TRANSPARENCY International Zambia (TIZ) welcomed the conviction of former President Rupiah Banda’s son Andrew for abuse of office.
Andrew, 53, was last week sentenced to two years in prison with hard labour after being convicted for soliciting a two per cent bribe on all money paid by the Road Development Agency to an Italian investor, Fratelli Locci SRI Limited after he helped him invest in Zambia.
TIZ executive director Goodwell Lungu welcomed the conviction of Andrew saying it should serve as a lesson for Government leaders to remain above board in their execution of duties.
“We want to strongly advise Government leaders to always lead by example and to be accountable for their actions. They should remain above board all the time and learn from Andrew Banda’s conviction,” he said.
Mr Lungu commended the Lusaka magistrate’s court for dispensing justice without fear or favour on Andrew, who was a senior diplomat.
He also commended the setting up of a tribunal to probe allegations against Tourism and Arts Minister Sylvia Masebo for alleged interference in the operations of the Zambia Wildlife Authority.
“These events, we believe, send a good signal in the fight against corruption that even serving ministers can be brought before the law and made to account for their actions,” Mr Lungu said.
Acting Chief Justice Lombe Chibesakunda last week swore in acting Supreme Court judge Rhoda Kaoma as chairperson of the Tribunal with two members, Livingstone High Court judge-in-charge, Ernest Mutiyo and Lusaka High Court Judge Chalwe Mchenga.
Ms Justice Chibesakunda also swore in Deputy Registrar of the Supreme Court, Mathews Zulu as secretary for the Tribunal at a ceremony held in the Lusaka High Court.
Meanwhile, Andrew has remained incarcerated at Lusaka Central Prison for the fourth day as the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) was yesterday not ready to appear for the hearing of the bail application.
Andrew, who was on Friday convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment by chief resident magistrate Joshua Banda, has appealed to the High Court against the whole judgment.
Andrew’s application for bail pending his appeal could not be heard yesterday because the DPP’s chamber still needed to file its affidavit in opposition and study the judgment.