Dora's saga in counter court action from Harrington

The Dora Siliya saga in which she is seeking a judicial review of the Dennis Chirwa Tribunal findings has a new twist. Former Communications and Transport minister, William Harrington has also applied for an order to quash the tribunal findings clearing Dora Siliya of any wrongdoing in the RP Capital Partners deal. In a counter claim filed in the Lusaka High Court, Harrington says the decision of the tribunal clearing Siliya under the Parliamentary and Ministerial Code of Conduct Act was illegal and unreasonable.

Harrington has joined the Siliya judicial review as intervenor challenging the tribunal findings that she breached the Constitution. In seeking an order of certiorari, Mr Harrington said the decision of the tribunal was contrary to the proper interpretation of Section 4 (a) of the Parliamentary and Ministerial Code of Conduct.

Harrington argues that the decision was against the weight of the evidence and the tribunal’s finding of fact that RP Capital Partners went to the ministry through Siliya. He further states that Siliya helped RP Capital Partners in securing the contract and that through her conduct, the firm would now directly earn a base fee of $2 million.

Harrington is represented by Ellis and Company, Permanent Chambers and Kabimba and Company. Lusaka High Court Judge Justice Phillip Musonda gave the parties up to June 8, this year to file their submissions.