TIZ urges DPP not to act in political interest

Wesley Chibamba

The Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) has challenged the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to consider appealing against the recent  acquittals of Agriculture Minister Dora Siliya and Maxwell Mwale.

This comes after the Director of Public Prosecutions has appealed against the acquittal of former Minister of Tourism Sylvia Masebo.

TIZ Acting Executive Director Wesley Chibamba says his organization has noticed with interest that the DPP has appealed against the acquittal of former tourism minister Silvia Masebo adding that while they welcome this move, they challenge the DPP to also appeal against the recent  acquittals of Ms Siliya and Mr. Mwale.

Mr. Chibamba says the two were facing similar charges to that of Ms Masebo and that they were acquitted a few weeks ago.

He says he expects the DPP to also appeal these acquittals, otherwise the DPP risks the Masebo appeal to be misconstrued as political persecution, trying to fix political opponents rather genuine pursuit of justice for the Zambian people.

Mr. Chibamba says if the DPP is acting in public interest, let this be applied to similar cases.

He has since urged the DPP, as a public office, to genuinely act in public interest and not political interest.

Mr. Chibamba furthermore urges the DPP as part of the justice system, not to apply double standards and always be above board in the execution of their functions.