Masebo Tribunal : Harrington to seek the High Court’s interpretation

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MINISTER of Tourism and Arts Sylvia Masebo
Sylvia Masebo
The complainant in the Justice Rhoyda Kaoma led Tribunal; William Harrington says he will seek interpretation from the High Court as to what amounts to pecuniary advantage in the context of the Parliamentary and Ministerial Code of Conduct Act, in view of the tribunal findings against former Tourism Minister Sylvia Masebo.

Mr. Harrington says he has since instructed his lawyers to study in greater detail the Tribunal’s report.

Mr. Harrington has told Qfm News that his intention to seek such interpretation from the High Court follows the Tribunal’s ignoring of the provision at Part 2, Section 3 (c) of the Parliamentary and Ministerial Code of Conduct Act.

He says the provision clearly and emphatically states that a member shall be considered to have breached the code of conduct if he knowingly acquires pecuniary advantage or assists in the acquisition of pecuniary advantage by another person by exerting any improper influence in the appointment, promotion, or disciplining or removal of a public officer.

Mr. Harrington says this is why he finds it interesting that the Tribunal has found no evidence that Ms Masebo was in breach of the Act when she removed from office five Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) management officials.

He states by dismissing the five ZAWA management officials, Ms. Masebo in fact assisted other persons to acquire pecuniary advantage through salaries and other benefits that go with the appointments and contracts of service.

And Mr. Harrington has described remarks attributed to vice president Guy Scott in yesterday’s edition of the Post newspaper against him and Kabwata Member of Parliament Given Lubinda as unwarranted, petty and very unbefitting of someone holding the high office of vice president anywhere in the world.

He says Dr. Scott’s statement that the Tribunal has cleared Ms. Masebo over allegations of abuse of office is also inaccurate and misleading as the Tribunal has found, among other things, that Ms. Masebo had no authority under the Zambia Public Procurement Act (ZPPA) to cancel the tender for the 19 Safari hunting concessions.

He adds that it is for this reason that Dr. Scott should in fact do the nation a favour by declaring interest in Ms. Masebo’s matter in particular and in the safari hunting business in general.

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