By Staff Reporters
Colonel Panji says the investigative wings have now been given the political will to fight corruption, saying they must ensure that no minister or public official vies for government contracts.
But Harry Kalaba’s Democratic Party (DP) says President Hakainde Hichilema has realised that he was just politicking about having a lean government, which they said involved recycled leaders like Felix Mutati, Sylvia Masebo and Alfred Chipoya.
Speaking with Daily Revelation, Col Panji said he was sure the President has done his research over the appointments of ministers, saying it was up to the ministers to work and not let him down.
He said there was no one who went to a school where they studied to be ministers, but what was important was not to repeat the mistakes committed by ministers and officials in Edgar Lungu’s government.
Col Panji said the investigative agencies have been empowered by the President’s political will to fight graft, saying they must work to ensure that zero tolerance to corruption was a reality in government.
He added that in the ministerial handbook, ministers and government officials were barred from having their companies vie for public contracts, something he said was grossly ignored under President Lungu’s government, and that it should not be allowed to happen in the new administration.
But the DP said the President has realised that there was a difference between political pronouncements and adhering to the constitution over his earlier promise to run a lean government, which they said had already been countered with the appointment of 17 ministers so far.
Harry Kalaba’s press secretary Mwanawina Kwibisa said what the Zambians were interested in is service delivery, whether there were 12 or even 1000 ministers.
He expressed disappointment that there was very little room for the youths in the announced appointments.
“We expected a complete overhaul … but some appointments are recycled instead of passing on to the young ones. I am mentioning (Technology Minister) Felix Mutati. I believe he can remain a consultant. (Senior Private Secretary Alfred) Chipoya, (Health Minister) Sylvia Masebo, they could have remained on the sidelines,” Kwibisa said.
But asked if the DP will be chasing old people from joining them since he was opposing the appointments of certain ministers, Kwibisa said they would be welcomed, but as people to offer consultancy and guidance.
