By NATION REPORTER
The restriction of properties belonging to Citizens First Party leader Harry Kalaba and Patriotic Front presidential candidate Emmanuel Mwamba by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is nothing but the worst form of political witch-hunt ever experienced in the country, Brian Mundubile has charged.
Mr Mundubilie, Leader of the Opposition in Parliament has described the restrictions of the properties belonging to Mr Kalaba and Mr Mwamba as political persecution because the two were not given chance to explain how they acquired their properties before the ACC could place restrictions on them.
Mr. Mundubile, who is a PF presidential candidate said it was in public domain that Mr. Kalaba and Mr Mwamba had worked for the government for a long time and could have acquired their properties using legitimately earned resources.
He said it was unfortunate that Mr Kalaba and Mr Mwamba were being politically victimized when it was a known fact that they were in gainful employment for a long time, which made it possible for them to acquire property through legitimate means.
Mr Mundubile said the duo were being harassed because they had become curt critics of the President Hakainde Hichilema administration and that the restriction placed on their properties had nothing to do with fight against corruption.
“Last week, Friday, President Hakainde Hichilema came to Parliament to deliver a speech rendering a report on the progress that has been made in the Application of National Values and Principles as required by the Laws of Zambia. We would have expected that the President would see to it that National Values and Principles continue to be implemented,” Mr Mundubile said.
Mr. Mundubile said there was need for the UPND administration to respect the Constitution, enshrined under Article 8, which elevated human rights, human dignity, and nondiscrimination, the articles the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament said were not being respected by the new dawn administration.
“What we have seen in the recent past and specifically the restriction of properties belonging to PF presidential hopeful Ambassador Emmanuel Mwamba and Citizens First president Harry Kalaba is unfortunate in Zambia’s constitutional democracy. We have a situation now where one would feel that there are two sets of laws that are being implemented,” he said.
Mr. Mundubile said while it was proper for some members of society to own property, it seemed to be a crime for other citizens to enjoy the same rights of acquiring properties.
Mr. Mundubile said the right to property is guaranteed in the Constitution adding that if the Zambia that the people fought for in 2021 was to allow a selected few to own property, then it was unfortunate.
