Andrew Banda’s 2 year conviction is not enough-TIZ

Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) has welcomed the Lusaka High Court’s decision to dismiss an appeal in which former first secretary at the Zambian mission in Italy Andrew Banda was challenging his conviction and two-year jail sentence slapped on him by the Lusaka Magistrate’s court for corruption.

TIZ Information Officer Charles Chulu says his organisation commends the High Court for its decision.
He says TIZ as an institution founded on morals of transparency and accountability, further hopes that the lesson of sentencing and the conviction of Mr.Banda will compel public officers to refrain from engaging in similar criminal offences that only benefit them and not the people of Zambia.
Mr. Chulu however says Transparency International Zambia feels that the two year sentence slapped on former President Rupiah Banda’s son and others in the recent past, is light and will not serve to deter other would be offenders from engaging in acts of abuse of office and corruption.
He says it is hoped that the courts will consider increasing the number of years of imprisonment for similar offences.
Mr Chulu adds that TIZ is also appealing to the Judiciary to continue finding means and ways of speeding up the conclusion of such matters in good time.
He states that Courts of Law have an important role to stem the wanton corruption and such judgments are strong reminders.

QFM