By Merlyn Mwanza
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has given an update on some high public interest cases being invested.
In a media statement made available to Daily Revelation Media, ACC spokesperson Queen Chibwe said the Commission was elerted by the political will shown by President Hakainde Hichilema against zero tolerance to corruption, and that they will fight the vice with vigor.
She also encouraged the public to join in the fight, saying they must report suspected corruption to the number +26 0973 039550 which was also on whatsapp.
The commission gave an update on some of the high profile matters under investigation.
Below are some of the cases the commission said it is investigating:
1) The Commission is investigating a Senior public official at a quasi-government institution in a matter involving the alleged purchase of 12 motor vehicles worth K33.6 million used during the last general election campaigns.
2) The Commission is also investigating a matter involving an alleged secret and illegal account at the Ministry of Finance purportedly used to siphon millions of Kwacha.
3) Former senior government officials at the Ministry of Health are being investigated for allegedly awarding contracts for the purchase of Covid-19 protective equipment to businessmen without following procedure. This is a new case and is different from the Honey Bee case.
4) Investigations against two former senior police officials into illegal trading of mukula trees that were transported to unknown destinations are also being conducted.
5) Investigations against officials at the Ministry of Local Government into alleged illegal awarding of contracts for roadworks worth over K10 million to two private companies which did not execute the works in Central Province.
6) Alleged illegal purchase of six houses in one of Lusaka’s low-density areas and owning property which include a fleet of motor vehicles suspected to be proceeds of crime by a Senior public official are under investigations.
7) A former government official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is being investigated for allegedly acquiring seven (7) houses and other property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime in one of Lusaka’s low-density areas.
8) An investigation against one of the senior managers at Development Bank of Zambia (DBZ) is underway for alleged abuse of company financial resources which were used to pay for school fees both locally and abroad worth over K1 million.
9) A former ward councilor of Lusaka is being investigated for the suspicious purchase of a named bank together with all of the bank’s assets worth K300 million.
10) Officials at DMMU for allegedly buying an unknown number of Toyota Land cruisers using Covid-19 funds and other resources meant for disaster relief for political activities in the last general elections.
Below is the full statement from ACC
THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION IN ZAMBIA
MEDIA BRIEFING 15th September, 2021
Distinguished members of the Press,Ladies and Gentlemen,
I wish to welcome you all to this Media Briefing that has been called to react to the speech from His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema during the Official Opening of the 1st Session of the 13th National Assembly and also to reaffirm the Commission’s position regarding the fight against corruption in Zambia.
The Commission is elated with the remarks of His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema during the Official Opening of the 1st Session of the 13th National Assembly on his strong political will displayed so far in the fight against corruption in Zambia.
The Commission wishes to commend the President for this reaffirmation that he will not interfere with the operations of the Anti-Corruption Commission. His pronouncement that his government has declared war against and zero tolerance to corruption projects the fight against corruption as vitally important on the national agenda.
The pronouncement gives the Commission added impetus and vigour to confront the scourge of corruption head-on and continue developing and implementing enhanced strategies to stem out the vice in both public and private institutions. Therefore, in discharging its mandate the Commission will endeavor to remain impartial, meticulous and take decisive actions against corruption in all of its manifestations and ensure that all cases of suspected corruption are pursued to their logical conclusion.
Further, the Commission takes this opportunity to emphasize that everyone in Zambia has a stake in the fight against corruption as there is no single player who can eradicate corruption without the participation and contribution of others. The Commission will therefore, continue building and strengthening coalitions with critical stakeholders such as civil society organizations, traditional leaders, the private sector and ordinary citizens so that as a united front, we win the fight against corruption.
Ladies and GentlemenThe Commission would like to inform the nation that after the just ended general elections, we received unprecedented high number of reports of suspected cases of corruption from the general public. This loyalty from the members of the public is encouraging and the Commission would like to commend those that have come forward to report suspected cases of corruption to the Commission.
The Commission is therefore appealing to the public to take advantage of the government’s commitment in the fight against corruption by reporting suspected cases of corruption to the Anti-Corruption Commission or any other law enforcement agency so that together we can have a corruption free Zambia.
Ladies and Gentlemen,You may wish to know that since the just ended general elections, the Commission received a total of 87 reports of suspected cases of Corruption. Of these, 55 relate to high public interest cases some of which involve politically exposed persons.
Status on some High Public Interest Cases
1) The Commission is investigating a Senior public official at a quasi-government institution in a matter involving the alleged purchase of 12 motor vehicles worth K33.6 million used during the last general election campaigns.
2) The Commission is also investigating a matter involving an alleged secret and illegal account at the Ministry of Finance purportedly used to siphon millions of Kwacha.
3) Former senior government officials at the Ministry of Health are being investigated for allegedly awarding contracts for the purchase of Covid-19 protective equipment to businessmen without following procedure. This is a new case and is different from the Honey Bee case.
4) Investigations against two former senior police officials into illegal trading of mukula trees that were transported to unknown destinations are also being conducted.
5) Investigations against officials at the Ministry of Local Government into alleged illegal awarding of contracts for roadworks worth over K10 million to two private companies which did not execute the works in Central Province.
6) Alleged illegal purchase of six houses in one of Lusaka’s low-density areas and owning property which include a fleet of motor vehicles suspected to be proceeds of crime by a Senior public official are under investigations.
7) A former government official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is being investigated for allegedly acquiring seven (7) houses and other property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime in one of Lusaka’s low-density areas.
8) An investigation against one of the senior managers at Development Bank of Zambia (DBZ) is underway for alleged abuse of company financial resources which were used to pay for school fees both locally and abroad worth over K1 million.
9) A former ward councilor of Lusaka is being investigated for the suspicious purchase of a named bank together with all of the bank’s assets worth K300 million.
10) Officials at DMMU for allegedly buying an unknown number of Toyota Land cruisers using Covid-19 funds and other resources meant for disaster relief for political activities in the last general elections.
ConclusionMembers of the Press, ladies and gentlemen,We wish to inform you that all the above complaints were reported to the Commission by members of the public after there was a change of government. This is usually the trend that occurs after a general election and more so, when there is a change of government.
The Commission further wishes to inform the public that we are purely carrying out our work and using the legal mandate as provided in the law to thoroughly investigate all reported complaints and ensure that each case is pursued to its logical conclusion.
Members of the Press, ladies and gentlemen, The Commission is pleased with the support it continues to receive from the general public as well as from key stakeholders.
The Commission has also introduced a WhatsApp line which the public can utilise to report suspicious acts of corruption.
The line is 0973 039550.
I hereby urge you all as ambassadors of this fight, to embrace the national anti-corruption slogan, “A Corruption free Zambia Begins with Me.”
I thank you.
Queen K. Chibwe
ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION SPOKESPERSON
More @ www.dailyrevelationzambia.com
