Zambia ‘pushing’ to strip ex-President Rupiah Banda of immunity

The Zambian government Friday said it was actively pursuing the removal of former President Rupiah Banda’s immunity from prosecution.

This is meant to allow Mr Banda answer to alleged corruption allegations, it said.

President Michael Sata had on Thursday claimed Mr Banda was trying to seek “criminal asylum” in South Africa to run away from his alleged involvement in corruption during his three-year rule.

“Yes, we are committed. We want him to answer certain questions. Yes we’re seeking the removal of his immunity,” Zambia Information minister Kennedy Sakeni told state television Friday.

President Banda’s son Andrew is already in Zambian courts over alleged corruption while Zambian police have engaged Interpol to track down the former president’s fugitive son Henry for graft related offences.

Manoeuvres to have Mr Banda’s immunity stripped have been backed by an interest group, Transparency International Zambia, an anti-corruption advocate.

The former President refused to appear before the country’s Anti Corruption Commission when he was summoned.