Kasambara not suing police brass, opts for reform
Justice Minister and Attorney General, Ralph Kasambara, says he is not suing the top police officers for defying court orders to release him on bail when he was detained on a kidnapping charge.
Before he was appointed into cabinet, Kasambara indicated he will sue Head of Criminal Investigations Lexa Chalera, Southern Region Commissioner of Police Rodney Jose, Head of Criminal Investigations in the Southern Region a Mr. F B Mkuka and Urban Criminal Investigations Officer Carolyn Jere in their individual capacities.
The officers were accused of contempt of court in various roles they played in Kasambara’s matter, leading to his detention despite the bail obtained from the Blantyre Magistrate’s Court and the High Court order that restrained the authorities from further holding him in detention.
But in an interview with Nyasa Times on Saturday, Kasambara said he is not pursuing the matter in court because now he is the top government lawyer – Attorney General.
“While the intention of suing the police officers was to deter others from the culture of impunity, it should be considered that I am in a better position to influence reforms within the system,” he said.
The Attorney General maintained that he is not pursuing the case, saying he would ensure the system is reformed to respect court orders and the rule of law.
Kasambara was arrested during the DPP regime after his associates Arthur Chikankheni, Mayamiko Kadango, Brian Magoya, Patrick Gadama and Ali Kaka apprehended three of five men who were allegedly sent by DPP to petrol bomb his office.
He claimed the three confessed during interrogation being sent by DPP to harm him.
The then Information Minister Patricia Kaliati accused the Kasambara of kidnapping and torturing the suspects.
Kasambara was at that period outspoken against dictator late Bingu wa Mutharika and asking him to resign “for his incompetence and failure to defend democracy.”
Mutharika died on April 5 from a cardiac arrest and President Joyce Banda ascended to the top job on April 7.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
