By Chinoyi Chipulu
The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) says former president Edgar Lungu’s daughter, Tasila, is not being fair as she is delaying the means of justice by staying away.
And DEC Director General Nason Banda said the commission has remitted to the treasury $30 million and K57 million in forfeitures to the state
Speaking during a press briefing today, Banda said Tasila was now the most wanted person for failing to appear before the commission for questioning.
He said Tasila had failed to appear before DEC despite being issued with call-outs.
Banda said the commission wanted to question Tasila and not her lawyers.
“Tasila Lungu’s matter is still on progress. We have sent a call out because we have issues with her,” he said.
Banda said DEC was interested in getting answers from the Chawama lawmaker.
“We want her to answer some questions. It’s fair for people to be given an opportunity to give their side of the story,” he said.
He said the commission could not conclude the matter without hearing from her.
“So we would like madam Lungu to come, we have waited for for too long. We have sent messages, spoken to her lawyers. I want to mention to her that she’s actually a wanted person. We want her to come over and answer questions in the interest of justice and for her own good,” Banda said. “When you are investigating a case, there are so many people involved and because one person is not appearing, we end up delaying others which is not fair because justice delayed is justice denied.”
Banda said Lungu was the only person to clarify on certain issues lavelled against her.
“Somethings people get scared to come here without realising that they are coming to be clean because you will explain and give the side of your story. We are not animals, it’s not always that we say fula nsapato (remove shoes)” he said.
And Banda said that the commission was not only targeting opposition members in their investigations.
“I wouldn’t say we are targeting the opposition, we are trying hard to be as fair as possible and target anybody reported … Let’s understand this, we have seen how people commit crimes and boast on T.V. If we don’t act, you will say it’s now free for all. Now that’s impunity of committing crimes then you stand out and boast about committing crimes,” he said.
“Its just so happens that the pattern of people behaving in that way is the same. And then you say they are only getting opposition, no! I challenge you to report anyone who has committed a crime. Some people have been mentioned but there is nothing against them. There is no segregation,” he said.
Banda further said DEC had remitted to the government treasury, a sum of over $30 million United States dollars and over K57 Million was obtained from forfeitures this year.
“We also seized 274 motor vehicles out of which 35 have been forfeited to the state while 129 are still under investigation,” Banda said.
He said DEC was working with international drug control agencies and intelligence networks in order to strengthen intelligence sharing and investigations.
He added that the commission had continued to confront challenges posed by illicit drug trafficking and money laundering activities that had continued to negatively impact the safety, health, and economic stability of the country.
“A total of 4,421 reports were received from the general public. Out of these, investigations were commenced in 3,893 cases and concluded in 3,426 Cases. This represents 88% case conclusion levels,” he said.
Banda described the year 2024 as a success in the fight against money laundering and drug abuse in the country.
He said out of 200 money laundering cases, 180 had been taken to court and still under trial.
