By Agness Changala
Anti-Corruption activist Reuben Lifuka has told the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to clear dismissed former Health permanent secretary Dr. George Magwende, if it has no evidence against him.
Magwende has pleaded with ACC to announce the results of the investigations against him in order to help him restore his public standing.
He told Daily Revelation that he was accused of being corrupt and was called for interrogations by the ACC, but 13 months after those interrogations, he has
been kept in the dark about the nature of why he was even interviewed in the first place.
Speaking to Daily Revelation on Magwende’s plea to ACC, Lifuka said the former permanent secretary was justified in his call for ACC to state its position because the anti-corruption body should not only find people with cases that can be prosecuted but clear people where there is insufficient evidence.
“I think that the Anti-Corruption Commission surely needs to be clear on the results of any investigation that they undertake. Part of the work of the ACC is not just to find people with cases that can be prosecuted, but to clear people’s names where there is insufficient evidence and the former PS is justified in his call that the ACC should state their position,” Lifuka said.
He said if the ACC had any evidence which would warrant prosecution, it should take the matter to court as opposed to keeping the accused in suspense.
“If they have any evidence which would warrant prosecution can it go to court as opposed to keeping him in abeyance without really stating what their final position really is,” he said.
Lifuka said such developments erode confidence in the fight against corruption especially when cases take too long, as there is speculation that there are other forces at play other than professional work that is expected to be done.
“What this does is that it erodes confidence in the fight against corruption when cases take this long because then, people think that there are other forces at play other than just professional work or investigating the case and where there is sufficient evidence taking it to court,” he said.
Lifuka further said the onus is now on ACC to restore its image by giving its position on Dr. Magwende’s investigations so that he can also move on.
“In this case, I think the onus lies on the ACC to restore their image by stating their position on the former PS case so that he can also move on with his life,” Lifuka said. “It doesn’t help when you are always waiting that something will happen. If they are taking you to court, you prepare yourself to mount your defence but if they are not taking you to court, you clear your name and you move on with your life. And ACC owes that much to Dr. Magwende.”
President Hakainde Hichilema last year fired Dr. Magwende over corruption allegations in relation to the 100 million USD deal to TFM Holdings to construct hospitals .
However, the deal was cancelled shortly after with TFM Holdings chairman Mcebisi Mlonzi accusing Health minister Sylvia Masebo of soliciting a bribe in the form of R2 million and a Mercedes Benz from him as gratification for awarding the contract, something he said he reported to ACC.
