No single case from Zambia is before  ICC, says Lubinda

Thu, 23 Mar 2017 10:34:15 +0000

By OSCAR MALIPENGA

THERE is currently no formal complaint which has been referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC) by Zambia and there is no formal complaint admitted by the ICC against any Zambian individual, Justice Minister Given Lubinda has clarified in Parliament.

But Mr. Lubinda said President Edgar Lungu also sought an inquiry to find out if Zambia had any formal complaint before the ICC and was informed that there was no formal complaint admitted by the ICC against any Zambian individual.

Mr. Lubinda, who is Kabwata PF member of Parliament, said this yesterday when he gave an update on  Government’s roadmap and position on whether Zambia should withdraw its membership from the ICC or not.

Mr. Lubinda said anyone claiming to have reported the PF to the ICC was doing so for cheap political mileage, adding that the ICC had no single case against the PF and the government of Zambia.

Meanwhile, Mr. Lubinda told Parliament that President Edgar Lungu has decided to consult the people of Zambia on whether the nation should withdraw or not.

Mr. Lubinda said Zambia was expected to give her position on the matter during the 29th summit of the assembly of the African Union scheduled for June/July, 2017.

“The cabinet at its sitting on Monday has authorized the Minister of Justice to initiate and spearhead a countrywide consultation process regarding Zambia’s position on its membership to ICC and to prepare a report on the findings,” he said.

Mr. Lubinda said the consultation would commence on March 27, and expected to be concluded by May 31, 2017.

He said the consultative process would be conducted through public hearings in 30 districts where members of the public would be invited to make oral and written submissions on the matter.

Mr. Lubinda said a detailed schedule indicating the dates and locations for the hearings would be publicised through the print and electronic media.

He further implored members of Parliament to make written and oral submissions on the matter and also encourage members of the general public to do the same.

And UPND chief whip Gary Nkombo yesterday described as falsehood reports that his party president Hakainde Hichilema and the vice president Geoffrey Bwalya Mwamba had formally complained to the ICC over their lost election petition case.

Mr. Nkombo said as Chief Whip of the party and all other UPND members of Parliament were not privy to assertions that Mr. Hichilema and Mr. Mwamba complaints were admitted by ICC.

Mr. Nkombo said this in a point of order after Mwansabombwe PF member of Parliament Rodgers Mwewa alleged that Mr. Hichilema and Mr. Mwamba had officially complained to the ICC.