Chitotela acquittal shames critics - Ngwira

THE acquittal of Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Ronald Chitotela has not only exonerated him, but has also shamed critics who branded him corrupt even before he appeared in court, PF member Chanoda Ngwira has said.

Speaking to the Daily Nation yesterday, Mr. Ngwira said it was sad that Mr. Chitotela was led to “Calvary before being condemned by Pilate” as friend and foe alike, took turns to demonise him over offences he never committed.

He said had it not been that Mr. Chitotela was willed with a strong conviction that what he was going through was a passing phase which must leave him stringer than before, those scheming to finish him politically would have succeeded.

He however said those who were in the habit of scandalising other people through rumour-mongering and spreading lies out of malice must realise that what they wished for other people may also manifest in their lives and wondered how they would feel if the predicament they bestowed on Mr. Chitotela was heaped Mr. Chitotela on them.

“Mr. Chitotela was crucified long before he appeared before the Judge because there were some people who were determined to not only finish him politically, but paint him black in the eyes of reasonable members of society.

“We are happy that he has weaved through the storm and true to his word, the court has found him with no case. The acquittal of Mr. Chitotela has not only exonerated him but has shamed and proved his critics wrong,” Mr. Ngwira said.

He also praised the judiciary for remaining steadfast and refusing to adjudicate the matter based on the public opinion but basing the judgment on the facts before it, saying certain sentiments which were prejudicial in nature, would have swayed the outcome of the case to the contrary.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ngwira appealed to the PF to be careful with certain people who were only preoccupied with fixing individuals they perceived as threats to their ambitions as doing so had the potential to disintegrate the party.