FORMER president Rupiah Banda was this morning blocked from leaving the country when immigration officers at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) said they had received instructions not to allow him fly to South Africa.
The former head of State was due to fly out on a South African Airways 07:15 hours flight as a guest at Boston University’s African Presidential Centre which is hosting the 2013 African Presidential Roundtable in Johannesburg.
This is according to a statement issued by deputy administrative assistant in the office of the forth President Kennedy Limwanya.
Despite being shown the Court Order signed by Lusaka High Court Judge-in-Charge Jane Kabuka, the immigration officers said they understood what the Order said but could do nothing about it, as the instructions they were implementing had come from the Chief Immigration Officer Moola Milomo.
When contacted, Mr Milomo said he, too, was acting on instructions from “above”.
Judge Kabuka yesterday ordered the Joint Government Investigation Team to release President Banda’s passport to enable him travel to South Africa.
In her ruling, Judge Kabuka said the former president was not a flight-risk as he has all his possessions in Zambia and young children he was leaving behind, and that the invitation to South Africa was from a credible source, which showed that he was internationally recognised and respected.
In April, again in defiance of a magistrate’s Court Order, President Banda was blocked at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport as he was about to board a Kenyan Airways plane to go and attend the inauguration of Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta in Nairobi.
Call Boy Lusaka
June 7, 2013 at 1:52 pm
Sorry ba shikulu ba RB that you are treated like this. even if it is scores to settle sure? I am sure Nchito and Crew have memories of how you grounded Zambian airways and the threat you had on closing The Post Newspapers fresh in their minds. anyway, as common men ourselves, we can only watch.
organise these Boston meetings in Lusaka. Better still, go to the South African embassy and join in via video conference. I am sure the facilities available at the south african mission is state of the art technology.
jesmondine wade
June 7, 2013 at 1:55 pm
sad boss
casim
June 7, 2013 at 2:11 pm
tell them to leave you alone. anyway just do the necessary things then you forget. time is coming for them also.
Mundia M
June 7, 2013 at 2:30 pm
Kekekekeke, oweee! He really thought they will allow him to leave? After the rubbish Amsterdam wrote to the diplomats about subsidies, he should have known better.
Anyway, all politicians cannot see beyond their noses. Let’s see how you scheme with crooked Amsterdam now that you won’t be meeting.
Twiumfwako
June 7, 2013 at 2:35 pm
The female judge never read James Hadley Chase, (she read Mills and Boon) so to her it’s just an invitation by the varsity but abasoma Chase nabaitamba yonse. This is a man’s game madam judge. Keep a distance.
Hate Foolishness
June 7, 2013 at 4:32 pm
Sexist comment. Not appreciated at all.
Niceday
June 7, 2013 at 4:57 pm
I totally agree! He probably thinks making sexist, agist, tribal and racial comments is cool and something he can brag about at the bar later on.
kakolwe
June 7, 2013 at 2:36 pm
Yaaaaaaa baaaaa. Till the case(s) be expunged? I feel for you dad. It must be frastating after having been perumburating the globe only to be kept on a leash. Be glad its not a 6×4 cell.
Carpudol
June 7, 2013 at 2:39 pm
This is one characteristics of bad governance. This is very unhealthy for a developing country like zambia. Honestly where are we going?
TOUCHED
June 7, 2013 at 3:02 pm
no comment
SISTER
June 7, 2013 at 3:03 pm
Very, very good. You cannot fool everyone.
Kekekekekek TWIUMFWAKO great observation
samuel
June 7, 2013 at 3:38 pm
NDELOLESHAFYE………
mukombe
June 7, 2013 at 3:46 pm
Justice upside down is called injustice.
CHICHI94
June 7, 2013 at 4:12 pm
just watching pipo
CHICHI94
June 7, 2013 at 4:13 pm
just watching.its time for pf
Hate Foolishness
June 7, 2013 at 4:29 pm
Our judicial system is toothless. They have shown total contempt for the rule of law.
Hate Foolishness
June 7, 2013 at 4:31 pm
The people ‘above’ have totally undermined the court. It’s a concern.
KA GELO
June 7, 2013 at 4:39 pm
What is so special about RB. He has cases in court and should not be allowed to leave. Remember, immigration is independent. So the court is not immigration period.
KA GELO
June 7, 2013 at 4:41 pm
What is so special about RB. He has cases in court and should not be allowed to leave. Remember, immigration is independent. So the court is not immigration period.It is just like when an embassy gives you a visa, it is no guarantee that you will enter the country where you are going. If they are not satisfied, they will return you finish.
jiji Mulundika
June 7, 2013 at 5:11 pm
You aint goin nowhere bali!!
Observer One
June 7, 2013 at 6:07 pm
Pure Fools (PF)
kiduli
June 7, 2013 at 7:08 pm
Akapa chigidi!
RHUPIA BWEZAN BANDA
June 7, 2013 at 9:01 pm
Leave me alon.after all uwubomba mwibala alya mwibala.even u pf ar bz steeling.dd i kil sumbod 2 dserv dis nonsens.hw i wish am stil a prezd 2 enjoy my international flyts omost evry week.ya wish i cud reverse tym.ndekenifye bafikala kuti nafwa na stres imwematole yabawishinwe finyo fyabaninenu mwebana babapush
TOBIAS
June 7, 2013 at 10:32 pm
I BELIEVE THE COURT ORDERED FOR THE RELEASE OF PASSPORT AND THAT WAS RESPECTED BY GOVT. TRAVELLING ABROAD IS TOTALY A DIFFERENT ISSUE.
Toka
June 8, 2013 at 1:39 am
look at it this way,why do they keep inviting him when they know full well that the person is under investigation. The people who are inviting him are the ones bringing confusion in the country. They are simply playing with our nation. Once the case with Mr Banda is over all these invitations will also come to a stop. If Mr Banda is wise enough,let him just stay home and wait until he is cleared by court of law. If Mr Banda loves this nation, let him stay home. We know though him, the nation can be at war. People who hate our nation are using Mr Banda as a spring board to fun trouble for our nation.