LAZ council weighs in on EL’s refusal to fire Chitotela

The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) says it is not appropriate for Ronald Chitotela to continue serving as Housing and Infrastructure Development Minister while facing criminal charges.

LAZ is of the considered view that the prosecution of Mr. Chitotela, who has been charged with two counts of concealing property suspected of being proceeds of crime, cannot be effective while he is still Minister.

The Association is calling upon Mr. Chitotela to seriously reflect on his abilities to effectively and in good conscience run the affairs of his Ministry and at the same time defend himself in court.

LAZ  firmly believes that under such circumstances, Mr. Chitotela ought to resign from public service, notwithstanding the provisions of section 18 of the Parliamentary and Ministerial Code of Conduct Act.

The Association notes that while this section does not compel the President to dismiss a Minister on account of being arrested and facing prosecution, it does not stop Mr. Chitotela from resigning.

LAZ wants Mr. Chitotela to understand that while it is only the President who can remove a Minister from office, the Zambian Constitution also gives him the option to resign at any time.

The legal profession body is concerned that Mr. Chitotela’s continued stay in office conflicts with the rule of law, national values,  principles of good governance and integrity in the discharge of public functions as enshrined in the Republican Constitution.

It has also urged President Edgar Lungu to realize that dismissing a sitting Minister facing prosecution does not offend the constitutionally recognized right of presumption of innocence.

The professional corporate body wants President Lungu to consider relieving Mr. Chitotela of his duties as not doing so does not support the fight against corruption in the Country.

This is according to a statement released to Q-News by the LAZ council.