IGNORE MMD MACHINATIONS AGAINST DPP, JCC URGED

By NATION REPORTER
Stop dragging the name of former president Rupiah Banda and Director of Public Persecution Lillian Siyuni into the political mud for their political benefits, Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) founder member Gaston Sichilima has warned.
Mr Sichilima has written to the Judicial Complaints Commission (JCC) not to entertain the Nevers Mumba-led executive in trying to tarnish the former head of state and the office of the DPP.
Mr Sichilima in an interview said the move by MMD national secretary, Elizabeth Chitika, to report the DPP, Ms Lillian Siyuni for alleged misconduct in the case involving MMD vehicles, was not only baseless but also aimed at dragging President Banda who bought the vehicles, into politics.
This is after the New Hope MMD lodged a formal complaint against the DPP over the manner she handled the case of MMD motor vehicles which was disposed off, claiming that there was serious misconduct.
In a letter dated December 27, 2021, Mr. Sichilima asked the JCC not to entertain Ms Chitika’s attempt to drag Mr Banda into politics over his own vehicles.
Mr Sichilima said the JCC should not allow its office to be used to fight political battles by the MMD New Hope over the vehicles case in which the former head of State was involved in and acquitted.
He said the vehicles in question that Ms. Chitika and the New Hope MMD were claiming belonged to President Banda.
He explained that some vehicles were even given to the party when Mr Felix Mutati was party president at that time to be used in the 2016 elections for mobilisation and campaigns.
Mr Sichilima said it was unfortunate that Ms Chitika could be dragging the name of the DPP and President Banda into politics for personal benefits.
“We are surprised that Ms. Chitika Mulobeka went on to drag the constitutional office of the Director of Public Prosecution into her political fights because there was nothing wrong for the vehicles to be handed back to the former President, Mr. Rupiah Banda, after he was acquitted of his cases,” read part of the letter.
He said the DPP should not be used in settling political scores.
“We are further surprised that the office of the DPP is being dragged into settling her political scores with the former President Rupiah Bwezani Banda, Mr Felix Mutati, Mr Mtolo Phiri and Mr Raphael Nakacinda instead of using other political platforms.
“We thought we could bring this matter to your attention because this malicious complaint is meant to undermine a critical constitutional office within the judicial system in our country and should not be permitted,” Mr Sichilima said.