By Mubanga Mubanga
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has cleared Copperbelt minister Elisha Matambo, permanent secretaries Thabo Kawana and Milner Mwanakampwe and Solicitor General Marshal Muchende.
And ACC director general Daphne Chabu says the commission is not actively investigating any cabinet minister for corruption
Addressing the press yesterday in Lusaka, Chabu said the commission had closed the case involving Muchende as they found that the allegations of bribery against him were unsubstantiated.
“Ladies and gentleman, investigations into abuse of office against the Solicitor General Mr Marshall Muchende, I wish to report has now been concluded,” Chabu said. “The investigations established that there was no link of bribery between officials named in the complaint and himself. This matter is now closed by the Anti-Corruption Commission.”
Chabu said investigations against Matambo had also been closed after the commission found that the vehicle that was alleged to be owned by Matambo was not registered in his name.
“The Commission has closed this matter. Investigations into allegations that the Copperbelt provincial minister honorable Elisha Matambo possessed high value motor vehicles reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime have established that the high value motor vehicles were not registered in his name, albeit, the park that was being used was. That matter is being closed.” Chabu said
She said the case against Information permanent secretary Thabo Kawana was closed in 2023, and that the Commission did not see the need to reopen it.
“I also wish to set the record straight. Regarding the matter involving Mr Thabo Kawana, the media will be informed that the Anti-Corruption Commission gave a report in 2023. The matter was closed then. We see no reason why we should reopen it.”
She was responding to journalists during the press briefing when asked on the progress that had been made on the ministers.
Chabu said as far as she was concerned, there was no cabinet minister who was under investigation.
“What does it mean when we say we are investigating? We collect facts, we talk to witnesses. We look at documents. At that stage, it is not prudent for the Anti-Corruption to disclose who they are investigating. Because, investigations can go either way. If we start disclosing, that means we ruin people’s reputation. There are a lot we investigate and we find there is really no case. It’s only once the Anti-Corruption Commission has established probable cause, is when we move in you see us arresting people,” Chabu said. “Again, pursuant to the Anti-Corruption act, it is actually not in order for the Anti-Corruption to disclose names of everybody we receive allegations against. Because, probably it could be there is no case against them. So for us the cases that we have are the cases that l have just read out. We don’t have any other cases. But, in case you have evidence, and it is evident that we take it to court. Other than that, l can’t say we have any other case against any other cabinet minister. I do not know in what context those answers were given.”
