Former vice-president Enock Kavindele yesterday expressed shock and was totally lost for words as he could not understand that the Zambian government had again blocked fourth Republican president Rupiah Banda from traveling outside the country.
Kavindele, who is the Chairman of North West Railway and was also traveling to South Africa on business, could hardly believe what a host of journalists soliciting for comments on the matter were telling him as he walked to the aircraft.
Risking being left behind Kavindele rushed to go and see former president Banda in the VIP lounge were he condemned government’s action to block the former head of state from traveling.
“This is not right because I believe there was a court order and when we start to ignore court orders then we are courting anarchy in the country, this is wrong,” he said.
The South African Airways plane left Kenneth Kaunda International Airport at exactly 07.36 hours Zambian time without president Banda on board.
President Banda is now virtually a prisoner in his own country as he continues to face travel restrictions by President Michael Sata’s regime in total disregard of court orders.
The former Zambian head of state was on Friday June 7, 2013 blocked from boarding a South African Airways plane to Johannesburg where he was scheduled to attend a high level conference organised by Boston University of the United States of America.
Immigration officers at Lusaka’s Kenneth Kaunda International Airport led by a Mr. Mwansa said they had instructions from the Director General of the Immigration Department not to allow Mr. Banda to leave the country.
Mr. Mwansa is caught on camera telling someone, “We have received instructions from the Director General of Immigration that he should not be allowed to proceed to South Africa. If any thing you can contact him.”
This was the second time in just under two months that the Zambian government has disregarded a court order and blocked president Banda from traveling outside the country.
The first time was on April 9, 2013 when a court order issued by the Lusaka Chief Resident Magistrate Joshua Banda allowing Mr. Banda to travel to Nairobi Kenya for Uhuru Kenyatta’s inauguration was disregarded.
On Thursday June 6, 2013 Lusaka High Court Judge-In-Charge ruled that Mr. Banda’s passport be released to enable him travel to South Africa for his scheduled conference.
The former Zambian president who is appearing in court for abuse of office and concealing gratification now insists that Director of Public Prosecutions Mr. Mutembo Nchito must step aside and stop handling his case as he is out to settle old scores.
Former president Banda is actually now of the view that President Michael Sata and his team want to draw him into politics.
“They are not happy that I asked to stand down, they are not happy that I allowed Mr. Sata to take over,” he told journalists that had gone to cover his departure.
The post PF is Courting Anarchy – Kavindele appeared first on Zambia Reports.