By Isaac Zulu
Vice President Mutale Nalumango has said that every citizen, including former president Edgar Lungu can be investigated by law enforcement agencies.
But Shiwang’andu member of parliament Stephen Kampyongo has wondered why law enforcement agencies are finding it a challenge to openly tell the former president that they are investigating him.
Speaking during the Vice President’s Question Time in Parliament today, Kampyongo said that law enforcement agencies should be open and transparent in their quest to investigate Edgar Lungu, “instead of sneaking in his private properties.”
But Vice President Nalumango explained that the former president can be investigated like any other citizen, but he cannot be prosecuted of the immunity bestowed on him by virtue of his office.
She echoed the sentiments by President Hakainde Hichilema that there will be no sacred cows in the fight against corruption.
“All of us, and I mean all of us can be investigated, including the former president. But investigations should be done within the law and Constitution provisions. There is an issue of immunity. And people should distinguish between investigations and prosecution,” Nalumango explained, and responding to concerns raised by Lunte member of parliament Mutotwe Kafwaya, who wanted to know if the fight against corruption is not being selective, Nalumango echoed sentiments by President Hakainde Hichilema that the there will be no sacred cows in the fight against graft.
“We should all watch the space. There will be no sacred cows in the fight against corruption,” said Nalumango. “And assumptions that the fight against corruption is tribal are not true. I don’t think that investigative wings are looking at one’s tribe when investigating corruption or money laundering cases.”
The Vice President also said that small scale farmers who did not get subsidised fertiliser during last year’s farming season, despite paying for farming inputs, will be given fertiliser this farming season.
Nalumango further explained that farmers that supplied maize to the Food Reserve Agency will be paid money in full next week.
“The money to be paid to farmers that had supplied maize to Food Reserve Agency was released on Wednesday. And all the farmers will be paid in full. This is unprecedented,” said Nalumango.
