Respect courts decisions, Ronnie counsels NGO
By YANDE KAPEYAGOVERNMENT has advised the Southern African Centre for Constructive Resolutions of Disputes (SACCORD) to respect decisions made by courts of law.
Chief Government spokesperson Ronnie Shikapwasha said the decision by the High Court to uphold the de-registration of SACCORD was arrived at independently.
He said Government did not influence the decision of the court to uphold the de-registration of the non-governmental organisation.
Lieutenant-General Shikapwasha was speaking in Lusaka yesterday in reaction to SACCORD, which claimed at a press briefing that Government had influenced the decision of the court to de-register it.
SACCORD executive director Lee Habasonda challenged Government to state his organisation’s activities which pose a threat to national security.
Mr Habasonda said SACCORD has obtained a stay of execution of the court’s decision.
He said SACCORD will soon engage international agencies such as the African Union (AU) and United Nations (UN) to look into the matter.
But Gen Shikapwasha said international agencies have no right or say over matters ruled upon by the local judicial system.
He said the ruling of the court, whether in favour of SACCORD or not, must be obeyed.
Gen Shikapwasha, however, said SACCORD is free to engage international agencies.
He said Government believes and respects the rule of law and that the Attorney-General’s office will study the stay of execution obtained by the NGO to determine whether it should be allowed to continue operating.
“Yes, they have a right to apply for a stay, but we will also engage the Attorney-General and Solicitor-General to study it to determine if they can continue operating.
“It is, however, unfortunate that after five years, the court makes the ruling and civil society organisations want to accuse Government of trying to silence them through the SACCORD ruling when the decision was arrived at independently,” he said.
Gen Shikapwasha said SACCORD cannot force him to disclose the reasons for its de-registration.
“They cannot challenge me to state the reasons why the organisation was de-registered when the court has already ruled over that matter.
“I am not compelled to state the reasons because it is subjudice to the decisions of the court,” Gen Shikapwasha said.
Last week, High Court judge Florence Lengalenga upheld the decision of Gen Shikapwasha to de-register SACCORD in 2004.
Gen Shikapwasha was at the time Minister of Home Affairs.
But Mr Habasonda said at a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday that his organisation does not agree with the ruling of the court, and described it as unfair and an affront to civil rights liberties.
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