Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) is dismayed with recent presidential pardons of convicted former Ministers serving prison sentences.
TIZ Executive Director Goodwell Lungu in a statement cites the pardoning of former defence minister George Mpombo and former sports deputy minister Steven Masumba by former acting President Guy Scott, and the recent pardoning of former Local government and housing deputy minister Moses Muteteka by President Edgar Lungu.
Mr Lungu says TIZ is particularly displeased in that these former Ministers save only a short period of time in prison and then receive presidential pardons.
He says TIZ believes this is not a right trend and must be stopped by President Lungu immediately.
Mr Lungu explains that it is not right in the sense that while recognizing the Presidential powers of pardon, these convicted leaders should save as a deterrent mechanism to other leaders to desist from engaging in similar behavior and lead by example.
He states that if unchecked, this might be a panacea that leaders will be using to engage in criminal activities as they will try to find ways of securing Presidential pardons at the beginning of saving their prison terms.
Mr Lungu adds that the trend also has great potential of downgrading the fight against corruption in the country and discouraging whistle blowers.
The TIZ Executive Director has since appeal to President Lungu to exercise great caution when applying this law especially to convicted leaders.