Lubinda testifies in the Masebo tribunal

Lubinda testifies in the Masebo tribunal

Lusaka, February 26, 2014, ZANIS —  .Kabwata Patriotic Front (PF) Member of Parliament Given Lubinda today testified in the ongoing tribunal set to probe Tourism Minister Silvia Masebo that Ms Masebo had no authority to cancel or fire five senior ZAWA officers.

Mr Lubinda  told the court that  as a person well vested in government and civil service operations , a minister has no right to interfere in the operations of the board or public institution.

He told the tribunal that the issue of the Tender for the granting of Safari Hunting Concessions in 19 blocks in various Game Management Areas of Zambia started when he was Tourism Minister.

He alluded that his role as a policy maker at that time was to consult from the Zambia Public Procurement Authority(ZPPA) who categorically advised that it was not the role of the minister to authorise the    announcement of  the Tender.

Mr Lubinda, ,  a former Tourism  and Arts Minister himself ,  added that Ms Masebo had no powers as a Minister to even discipline any one from the Zambia Wildlife Authority(ZAWA) because it  do not fall within her jurisdiction as a policy maker.

“My lady and my Lords, it is not the role of the Minister to interfere in the operation of any public institution. That ,it was wrong for the Tourism Minster to indulge herself in such matters ,” Mr Lubinda contended.

The  Kabwata MP  further told the tribunal that he always had to seek the  advice from the Attorney General on how to go about on   issues pertaining  to  the running of the Ministry of Tourism  or before making any decision.

Ms Masebo is represented by  Michael Mundashi, Bonaventure Mutale and Robert Simeza, all State Counsels while Mr Harrington has Gilbert Phiri, Makebi Zulu and Keith Mweemba.

Mr Phiri had  indicated on behalf of Mr Harrington that he will call 12 witnesses out of which five were supposed to be subpoenaed as they are serving in Government.

Mr Harrington being the petitioner is  the first to bring witnesses and will lay his evidence from Monday up to February, Friday  28, 2014 and Ms Masebo will start her giving evidence  on  March 3, 2014 next week  and will finish on March 7 this year.