Western Equatoria health minister sets free of Traffic charges
October 24, 2008 (YAMBIO) — Western Equatoria State Minister of Health Poulino Zizi Bagwua has been set free from traffic charges filed against him, after the state’s highest court overturned hs indictment. .
The decision came nearly three months ago to the day after the GOSS president frozen his ministerial immunity following a row over the minister’s after work car collision with two motorcycle riders, paving the way for the case to under go legal procedures between Mr. Zizi and the family members of the victims.
The 1st class Magistrate, Lado Erminio, judge of traffic court set free Zizi, saying, “he reprobated the case due to lack of sufficient evidences, which could convict the accused (Zizi), in accordance with provision of article 159(1) 0f the code of criminal procedures 2003.”
The court papers filed to setting Zizi free says that, “The accused is to be discharged immediately in accordance with article 159(2) of the code of Criminal Procedures 2003, unless he is wanted for other procedures.”
“Shiekan Insurance Company Ltd should pay for the parents of the first victim, John Masira, a sum of 16,000SDG, (8000 USD) as a voluntary compensatory damages, which will be settled through a civil means.”
The Judicial process states that, “Vehicle land cruiser with matriculation No.1064 GOSS, should be handed to the Ministry of Health WES.”
Zizi has always argued that, he is innocent in the accident case. He told reporters he would now feel happy to go back his job. The minister was in a jovial mood and his face was showing euphoric moments.
Zizi was taking his sick driver home, after working hours at 6:25PM, when he met the two boys on a motorbike riding verses him at a maximum speed, he made possible precautions to avoid the accident, [but] the two boys knocked the front edge of his car and sustained fragment compound fractures on both of their left legs.
The minister said he had made all efforts to evacuate the two victims to Khartoum for better treatment, unfortunately one of the victims died on the way in Juba Hospital, the other was sent to Khartoum and the body of the deceased was taken back to Yambio.
The State Governor, Jemma Nunu Kumba says that, “the legal procedures were necessary for the Minister, she will now present the reports filed by the WES high court to the GOSS President Salva Kiir Mayardit, “the president thereafter will restore his immunity,” she said.
Zizi is seen as a local hero among hospital goers for having made efforts to bring doctors to Yambio hospital. He faces the challenge to equip the major hospitals with medical supplies, downsizing of huge unclassified staff under the ministry of health to meet the block grant being transferred from GOSS.
Over employment is high in the WES ministry of health leaving the ministry in a total budget deficit to pay all its employees.
(ST)