By Mubanga Mubanga
Entering into settlement agreements with corrupt individuals saves the country time and resources, says Anti-Corruption Commission director general Gilbert Phiri.
Speaking during a radio program at radio Mano in Kasama, Phiri said the ACC Act section 80 provisides for settlement of corruption.
He gave the example of the fight against corruption during the Mwanawasa administration saying they spent US$18 million on the corruption fight but only ended up realizing only $32-36 million.
He said even if they managed to recover some properties, most of the money went towards legal fees for foreign lawyers, and that some cases up to now have yet to be concluded.
Phiri wondered which one was better between getting back $22 million to construct schools and hospitals or taking the matter to court where he said some cases take10-15 years to conclude?
When asked weather the corruption fight is selective and if the ACC is used by government to selectively fight corruption, Phiri described that as just a perception, arguing that the ACC was an autonomous institution and does not get instructions from anyone.
“lt is a very independent office. ACC makes decisions on its own. We nitiate cases on own and take cases to court independently,” he said.
He further urged citizens’ to shun corruption as it is evil, citing the case of the FTJ university where $33 million was spent but there was nothing to show in terms of infrastructure, money he said if properly utilized could have saved people of Luapula and Northern province.
