By Mubanga Mubanga
Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) acting executive director Raymond Mutale says President Hakainde Hichilema and other presidential candidates in the August 13 general elections should emulate Citizens First (CF) leader Harry Kalaba by publicly declaring their assets.
Responding to a press query over the decision by Kalaba to declare the K58 million assets and liabilities with Indo Zambia Bank, and the reaction from State House that he would not compel President Hakainde Hichilema to do the same, Mutale stated that while there was no law that required them to publicly declare their assets, declaring their assets publicly would provide an additional layer of transparency and demonstrate a willingness to be held accountable by the electorate.
Mutale commended Kalaba for publicly declaring his assets. He stressed that such public disclosure demonstrated a commitment to transparency and accountability.
“In this regard, TI-Z encourages all presidential candidates contesting the August 13, 2026 General Elections to follow Mr. Kalaba’s example by publicly disclosing the assets and liabilities they submitted to the ECZ. While the law currently requires candidates to make declarations to the relevant authorities, voluntary public disclosure would provide an additional layer of transparency and demonstrate a willingness to be held accountable by the electorate,” Mutale stated. “The public interest in this matter is particularly significant because presidential candidates are seeking a position that exercises immense authority over public resources and national decision-making. Citizens therefore have a legitimate interest in understanding the financial interests and asset base of those seeking to govern them.”
Mutale bemoaned the statement by State House Chief Communication Specialist Clayson Hamasaka that President Hichilema did not need to be compelled to publicly declare his assets simply because Kalaba had done so. Mutale stated that the response by Hamasaka missed the broader governance issue which was at stake.
“TI-Z notes the comments from State House that President Hakainde Hichilema cannot be compelled to publicly disclose his assets simply because another presidential candidate has chosen to do so. TI-Z believes that this response misses the broader governance issue at stake,” Mutale stated. “The question is not whether President Hichilema or any other candidate can be compelled to disclose their assets. The question is whether those seeking the highest office in the land should voluntarily embrace higher standards of transparency and accountability in order to strengthen public trust.”
Mutale stated that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) needed to consider making available the assets which presidential candidates declared.
“We also believe that the Electoral Commission of Zambia should consider making available, within the confines of the law and subject to any legitimate privacy considerations, the asset declarations submitted by presidential candidates,” Mutale stated.
“Where there is no legal prohibition against disclosure, greater transparency should be encouraged. Such a move would strengthen confidence in the electoral process and establish an important precedent for future elections. In fact, presidential candidates’ disclosure of assets and liabilities will not, in any way, be breaking the law.”
Mutale stated the TI-Z had always advocated for a comprehensive and enforceable asset declaration regime as a critical anti-corruption measure. He stated that asset and liability disclosure helped deter illicit enrichment, and promoted integrity in public office and also strengthened public confidence in political leadership. Mutale added that it also enabled citizens to establish a benchmark against which elected leaders were going to be accountable.
Mutale stated that the public declarations of assets did not need to be viewed like they targeted any particular candidate. He stated that it provided an opportunity for all presidential contenders to demonstrate leadership by embracing a higher standard of transparency.
And former TI-Z president and good governance activist Reuben Lifuka said President Hakainde Hichilema does not need to wait to be compelled to declare his assets and liabilities publicly
Posting in the comments section on the Daily Revelation Facebook page on the story where State House reacted that Citizens First (CF) leader Harry Kalaba won’t compel President Hakainde Hichilema to declare his assets and liabilities, just because he had publicly declared his own assets at K58 million, Lifuka stated: “And why does he have to wait to be compelled by anyone to disclose his assets, incomes and liabilities? This should be a standard practice for any leader who wants to run an open and transparent government.”
But another commentator by the name of Gift Beenzu countered Lifuka’s argument asking if the law allowed presidential candidates to declare their assets publicly, stating that he thought the law was changed and they only declared to ECZ.
But Lifuka stated that that was not the argument.
“The essence of assets, incomes and liabilities declarations goes beyond the legal imperative, it is about ethical leadership,” he stated.
He stated that in any case, the international anti corruption conventions like UNCAC and specifically Articles 7 and 8, mandated States Parties to establish asset and interest disclosure systems to prevent conflicts of interest and detect illicit enrichment.
“Zambia as a signatory to this convention is expected to domesticate these international and regional conventions. The President and his party knew about the inadequacies of the Parliamentary and Ministerial Code of Conduct Act as well as the limitations of the Electoral Process Act while in opposition. Surely nothing stopped them from urgently bringing amendments to the laws to ensure greater transparency among electoral candidates,” Lifuka stated. “The presidential candidates are seeking to be employed by Zambians in this lofty position of authority, why should we not know if a candidate, for instance, has significant liabilities which could make him or her vulnerable to corrupt tendencies? The position of president is the highest in the land and the level of scrutiny should be high enough.”
He stated that even financial institutions have stringent “Know Your Client protocols”, and wondered why presidential candidates should be treated casually.”
“Why just declare to ECZ like the people there are the ones who are going to vote for the candidates? We talk about manifestos- yes but we vote for human beings (with all their flaws) to implement these manifestos and we should know who they are and their credentials,” stated Lifuka.
But Beenzu argued that: “Meaning you forcing presidential candidates to do things outside the law because you feel he must do it. A presidential Candidate has basis not to disclose to the media to avoid being in conflict with the local laws. International conventions on anything is invalid I guess.”
Lifuka retorted, stating: “Oh dear me. We are splitting hairs. Let all presidential candidates do as they please and we should never ever hear anyone complain about illicit enrichment. While at it- we should allow them to get funds for their election campaigns from anyone in the world including the mafia if need be. And forgot about the work of FIC on countering money laundering and terrorist financing.”
