By Mubanga Mubanga
The Consortium of 11 Civil Society Organisations on Governance has questioned how over K37 million of suspected illicit funds can be left in the hands of an accused person.
And the consortium has expressed deep concern and outrage at recent revelations that expose alarming weaknesses in Zambia’s fight against corruption.
On Monday, Daily Revelation published ran a lead story where former Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) director general Thom Trevor Shamakamba told the Ndola High Court that former Foreign Affairs permanent secretary in the Edgar Lungu’s administration, Dr Ronald Simwinga, was asked to forfeit only K23 million “unexplained” funds in his bank account because the commission had decided to turn him into one of the key witnesses in a prominent case before the economic and Financial Crimes Court in Lusaka.
This is in a case where Shamakamba has sued, for libel, Daily Revelation Editor-In-Chief Patson Chilemba, former ACC board member Dr O’Brien Kaaba and Daily Standard Multimedia as first, second and third defendants respectively, demanding US$500 compensation for alleged damages to his personal and professional reputations.
Reacting to Shamakamba’s submission in court, consortium chairperson Isaac Mwanza stated stated that the revelations were disturbing.
“Equally disturbing is the disclosure by the former Director General of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) that an accused person in a corruption case, Dr. Ronald Simwinga, was allowed by the Commission to surrender only K23 million out of a suspected K60 million in exchange for becoming a state witness,” Mwanza stated. “This decision sets a dangerous and unjust precedent. It sends the wrong signal that suspects can bargain their way out of accountability by offering partial restitution and testifying against others. Such an approach effectively legalises selective justice and undermines any genuine attempt to dismantle systemic corruption.”
Mwanza also stated that an independent audit as reported by the media had revealed that the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) procured essential drugs at an outrageous 1,600 percent markup without any attempt to negotiate prices.
He state that this constituted a flagrant abuse of public resources, particularly in a sector as vital as health care.
“These are funds not only sourced from Zambian taxpayers but also generously contributed by cooperating partners who support Zambia’s health system. The procurement of life-saving medicines at such inflated prices is not merely irresponsible but is morally reprehensible,” Mwanza stated.
He state that the two developments severely undermined public confidence in the country’s key governance institutions and was not helping President Hakainde Hichilema to advance his commitment that “there shall be no sacred cows in the fight against corruption.”
Mwanza further stated that these two revelations starkly contradicted President Hichilema’s stated anti-corruption vision.
“Instead of reinforcing a zero-tolerance stance, they suggest the existence of sacred cows and the tolerance of institutional complicity. The question must be asked: how can over K37 millions of suspected illicit funds be left in the hands of an accused person? What message does this send to public servants, to law enforcement officers, to ordinary citizens, and to international partners who invest in Zambia’s development and governance with trust and goodwill?” Mwanza asked.
He urge President Hichilema to reflect deeply on the damaging impact these reports had on the public perception of his administration.
Mwanza stated that Zambians voted for change because they were disillusioned by the corruption that plagued previous regimes.
He stated that the international community, too, must not be taken for granted.
“Foreign taxpayers fund Zambia’s health and governance sectors in good faith and they deserve accountability in return,” he stated. “We take this opportunity to commend the Zambian media for their exceptional vigilance and integrity. In the face of political pressure and risks, journalists have boldly reported on these scandals with courage and commitment. Their steadfastness in seeking and sharing the truth has been indispensable in defending the public interest and preserving democratic accountability.”
Mwanza stated that in light of these developments, the consortium called on President Hichilema to immediately order the public release of the ZAMMSA audit report.
He stated that transparency must be the starting point if the government was to restore confidence.
Mwanza stated that firm action must follow, adding that all individuals involved in the procurement scandal must face the consequences, particularly those who previously defended the procurement despite credible concerns and early warnings.
“We further call out the Anti-Corruption Commission for its discreditable handling of cases and continued demonstration of bias and inefficiency. The ACC has lost the moral authority required to lead Zambia’s anti-corruption fight. Urgent reform is necessary. In its current form, the Commission appears compromised and ineffective,” Mwanza stated .
He stated that consideration must now be given to restructuring or merging the ACC with other more competent and independent institutions to establish a single, robust, and trustworthy anti-corruption agency.
Mwanza stated that Zambia’s anti-corruption campaign stood at a critical crossroads.
He stated that these scandals must not be swept under the carpet as they represent not just financial loss but a dangerous erosion of institutional trust and credibility.
Mwanza also called upon the President, Parliament, cooperating partners, and every citizen to demand decisive action.
He stated that the fight against corruption could not be won with rhetoric as it demanded bold leadership, honest institutions, and unwavering public resolve.
“Let there be no tolerance for impunity. Let there be no sacred cows,” stated Mwanza.
