In a startling example of executive intervention in the judiciary – a clear violation of the separation of powers under the constitution of Zambia – here President Michael Sata gives direct and specific instructions to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mutembo Nchito to produce corruption cases.  President Sata says to Nchito that he should look into privatizations that “were stinking with corruption” such as the Intercontinental in Livingstone, which was overseen by opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema when he worked as a consultant for audit firm Grant Thorton.  President Sata also orders Nchito to go to Zamtel and “sort them out.”  Needless to say, these kinds of comments are far beyond the pale for any measure of judicial independence.