Patriotic Front chief government spokesperson Kennedy Sakeni has responded to the challenge by Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) who asked authorities to state the law used to revoke fourth Republican president Rupiah Banda’s passport.
Sakeni’s response contains the usual rhetoric but does not quote a single piece of legislation to support the decision taken by the PF government but widely condemned by opposition, civil society and ordinary Zambians.
The revocation of president Banda’s passport has been branded illegal but here is what Sakeni, a former junior intelligence officer, has said;
STATEMENT BY HON. KENNEDY SAKENI, MP, MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON OVER TIZ’S CHALLENGE FOR GOVERNMENT TO EXPLAIN THE RATIONALE FOR CANCELLING FORMER PRESIDENT RUPIAH BANDA’S PASSPORT
Government has, and will do nothing that subtracts from former President Rupiah Banda’s enjoyment of his rights and privileges as provided in the law.
This is a responsible Government which is strictly following the rule of law in dealing with the former President’s suspected wrongdoing while he was in office.
As we have stated before, Mr Banda, like any other citizen, in his situation, is enjoying his full human rights and freedoms such as legal representation, including the assumption that he is innocent until proven guilty.
Further and beyond this, as former Head of State, Mr Banda is still enjoying all the benefits and privileges that go with the status of that office.
It ought to be appreciated, however, that Mr Banda is currently undergoing investigations and prosecution for suspected wrongdoing following the removal of his immunity by Parliament.
This process entitles the State and law enforcement agencies, duly and legally so, to take certain actions and decisions such as the recent cancellation of the former President’s passport, if and when such a move is deemed necessary in the ongoing investigations and prosecution of the former Head of State.
Moreover, it should be appreciated that by law, the passport, whether diplomatic or ordinary, remains the property of the State which can be withdrawn or cancelled, if circumstances so warrant.
It is therefore unfortunate for Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) to suggest that Government’s cancellation of former President Rupiah Banda’s passport is a violation of his entitlement to the facility, as reported in the media.
It is Government’s conviction that by its role and status, TIZ is well placed to understand and appreciate Government’s sincerity, objectivity and professionalism with which it is handling the crusade against corruption – former President Rupiah Banda’s case included.
There is no hidden agenda against former President Rupiah Banda, let alone any of our citizens, for that matter, in the ongoing fight against corruption.
But, as Government, we have an inescapable duty to do what is right: to bring before the law those of our citizens suspected of wrongdoing to account for their actions.
TIZ’s concerns, therefore, do not arise.
Hon. Kennedy Sakeni, MP
MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON
11th July, 2013
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