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{
    "id": 107341,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/107341/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 337,
    "type": "other",
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    "content": "The other amendment is to have the Witness Protection Advisory Board whose duty is to co-ordinate the functions of the Agency and also to approve its budgetary estimates. To me, it also looks a very good piece of amendment. If you give a body a responsibility without an independent funding, then definitely the independence of that particular body is compromised. That is why I support the amendment that seeks to provide direct funding for the Witness Protection Agency from the Consolidated Fund. The amendment also seeks to introduce the Appeals Tribunal. Obviously when this Agency is going to establish a witness protection programme, to avoid cases of favouritism and misuse of the same, then you also need some kind of reference point. If I feel I have been unfairly left out of the programme and I have very crucial evidence; evidence that if I give without being protected, then my life would be in danger, then I can petition the same to the Appeals Tribunal. This is also a very good amendment. The amendment sought by the Attorney-General is to expand the definition of a “witness”. I think that is also very important because we need to include those who require protection from threats or risks that exist on account of being crucial witness. So, I fully support the Attorney-General. The prayer of this House is that once we pass this amended version of the Bill, the Attorney-General will make sure that once assented to it is implemented. This will ensure that our labour would not be in vain. The time of this Parliament would also not be in vain. It is good that the Attorney-General has taken away some duties from himself and given them to the Director and some staff. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I want to emphasize what Mr. Mungatana has said. We have had cases where we pass legislation creating bodies. Once those bodies are created, the people who are responsible for the hiring of staff like the Witness Protection Agency--- These are staff who will be well remunerated and will have teeth and power. In fact, the Act spells this out. We expect those who will fill these positions to carry out due diligence to make sure that people qualify not on the basis of ethnicity, political party interest or regionalism but on the basis of competence acquired through training, practice and proven integrity. If that happens, then I think this Agency will do a good job. Cases of impunity that we have been seeing go on in this country because people are not willing to be witnesses to the State will come to an end. With those very many remarks, I beg to support."
}