Wed, 31 Jan 2018 15:22:23 +0000
By CHARLES MUSONDA
WE are disappointed with Mike Mulongoti for suggesting that the President’s immunity from prosecution be removed from the constitution, the New Generation Party (NGP) has charged.
In an interview in Lusaka yesterday, NGP president Humphrey Siulapwa said Mr. Mulongoti’s suggestion was unacceptable.
“He is an experienced politician who even served as a minister and we thought he realises the importance of protecting the Head of State…if we remove the President’s immunity then the President will not function because he will always have enemies. There are always people coveting that position and they are waiting to attack and remove the President.
“If we remove the immunity, then instead of working, the Head of State will be spending time in courts. We do not agree with Mr. Mulongoti’s suggestion that we change the Constitution and remove the President’s immunity.
“Those that put the President’s immunity in the Constitution knew what they were doing. Some of us understand the importance of that. All you need is to gather evidence and after the President has left office you can take him to court,” Mr. Siulapwa said.
He said the Head of State must be protected with immunity, which could be removed once he left office and where there is sufficient evidence to do so.
And Mr. Siulapwa said the so called fight against corruption was getting out of hand because people championing it were insincere.
“The people that are claiming to fight corruption are not being sincere because they are doing it for selfish motives. It has become a new way of becoming popular. Calling the republican President a thief or accusing him of corruption is destroying Zambia’s image.
“Accusing each other of corruption has become one of the sources of tension in the country.
“What example are we giving to the young people? Are we telling them that it is okay to insult the President, are we are telling them it is okay to disrespect the President?
“The biggest problem is that all those who are accusing the President of corruption have no evidence. I am not a member of the PF but I respect the holder of the office of the President and in this case it is Mr. Edgar Lungu,” he said.
