Don’t Engender Divisions, Says Chikwanda

ACTING-PRESIDENT Alexander Chikwanda says those who want to supplant the Patriotic Front (PF) as a ruling party should not engender divisions to erode peace and meaningful unity, which are crucial tools to accomplish Zambia’s development agenda.
Mr Chikwanda says 2016 (when the general elections are due) is a long haul and aspirants for the mandate from the electorate to rule Zambia “are advised to use their ammunition sparingly.”
He said this in Lusaka yesterday during a media briefing on some issues of national importance.
Mr Chikwanda said Government will also abide by the Supreme Court ruling in the matter in which it has appealed against the High Court decision to stay the suspension of a Supreme Court judge and two high court judges and to appoint a tribunal to stay their alleged misconduct.
The three judges have challenged President Sata’s decision to suspend them from office and constitute a tribunal to investigate them.
The trio are Supreme Court judge Phillip Musonda and High Court judges Nigel Mutuna and Charles Kajimanga.
Mr Chikwanda said the Judiciary has an advantage “in the undesirable war of attrition because they have an enviable role of being a player and referee.”
He said the President cannot dismiss the judges under the provisions of the current constitution.
Mr Chikwanda, however, said the President’s latitude to appoint a tribunal is “beyond dispute.”
He said Government will not take any “precipitate measures” in the matter and appealed to members of the public and civil society organisations to be patient on the matter.
“The people of Zambia are being dared to sit in moral judgment of the executive and the judiciary because what is happening is far beyond legality. It is a moral issue, for no government can stand with sustainability without distinct moral bench marks. This is at the core of the very essence of any government premised on democracy and the rule of law,” he said.
On the recent demonstration by opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) youths which resulted in a confrontation with the police, Mr Chikwanda said this was a result of people intent on confrontation “tempting the police to react.”
He, however, said those wishing to demonstrate are free but must do so within the confines of the law.
“While we urge the law enforcement agencies to act with greater restraint, we also enjoin those who want to exercise their constitutional rights and freedom to assemble and demonstrate to do so with responsibility and within the confines of the law. They should avoid confrontational stances,” Mr Chikwanda said.
He said opposition parties must not be synonymous with violence and intolerance.
Mr Chikwanda said there is currently no conflict on the imperatives of national unity and urged all interest groups to observe the law.
“We appeal to all well- meaning Zambians to embrace peace and harmony and isolate the promoters of dissent and intolerance from the mainstream Zambians who are apostles of love, compassion and togetherness,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Chikwanda has clarified that Government currently owns about 90 percent stake in the Development Bank of Zambia (DBZ) because the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and Exim Bank of India have not increased their shares proportionately to Government’s equity contribution.
He said this has increased Government’s shareholding, leading to “over-swamping” of other equity partners.
Mr Chikwanda, who is Minister of Finance, said Government’s shareholding in DBZ is in accordance with the provisions of Section Three of Minister of Finance Incorporation Act Cap 349 of the Laws of Zambia in conjunction with Section Seven.
“It is in this context and public interest that the Minister of Finance as shareholder directed the DBZ to ask their lawyer to pend (hold) the action before the court, not to withdraw but seek the Attorney General’s option because the matter before the court had acquired overtones which were contentious,” he said.
Mr Chikwanda said it is Government’s practice to seek guidance of the Attorney General’s opinion on matters without certainty.

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