Transparency international Zambia has described as a let down the decision by President Edgar to pardon corruption convicts.
TIZ Executive Director Wesley Chibamba says it is disappointing to pardon people who were convicted based on corruption.
He says freeing corruption convicts is encouraging the vice, as would-be offenders will not be deterred.
And Alliance for Community Action Acting Executive Director Bornwell Mwewa says while the President has the power to pardon inmates, this should be done with great wisdom and consideration because what is coming out now is that people who are associated with power cannot serve their sentences.
To mark his 63rd birthday, President Edgar Lungu has pardoned former minister of mines Maxwell Mwale who was convicted for abuse of authority of office, former Zambia Air Force Commander Christopher Singogo who was convicted on two counts of charges of theft by public servant and abuse of authority of office, Derrick Sinjela a journalist and chief Mulongwe.
There’s no sin that is greater than the other. All sins are equal. I think the President’s pardon should not select who did what wrong in trying to pardon the inmates because the whole essence of the process will be defeated if the President starts looking at the cases that are committed before he considers any pardoning. Forgiving should not be done on the basis of the gravity of the offence that was committed. I think forgiveness will carry more impact if you forgive the one who wronged you the worst. That is my view.
Moses P Sichula
November 12, 2019 at 6:48 am
Corruption convicts are better off in jail to detter would be offenders. Indeed all all crimes are the same but this new crime of corruption must be fought with extra commitment or we may lose it completely.
Wakishale
November 12, 2019 at 8:25 am