By Agness Changala
The corrupt are usually well resourced and well connected, says Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairperson Musa Mwenye.
And Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) has observed that the country has no law to regulate political parties financing and risks state capture.
Meanwhile, President Hakainde Hichilema reiterated that the government will not shield any public official found engaging in corruption.
Speaking at the commemoration of International Anti-Corruption Day/launch of the strategic Plan 2022-2026 yesterday at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre, whose theme is ‘Uniting the world Against Corruption’, ACC chairperson Musa Mwenye said the successful implementation of the five year strategic plan and effective fight against corruption needed the support and constant nurturing of everyone because corruption fights back.
“Allow me to emphasize that the successful implementation of the five year strategic plan and the effective fight against corruption needs all our support and constant nurturing because corruption fights back…always always fights back and the corrupt are well resourced and well connected,” Mwenye said.
The ACC chairperson has also urged Zambians to exercise financial integrity by resisting the temptation to engage in corruption and rejecting and reporting all cases of corruption.
He said corruption must be fought so that the meager resources of the country can be utilized to the benefit of all.
“Let us all remember to exercise financial integrity by resisting the temptation to engage in corruption and rejecting and reporting all cases of corruption. Let us also remember that it is our patriotic duty to fight corruption so that the meager resources of this country can be utilized for the benefit of all and I must repeat that for the benefit of all. Including the poorest of the poor and the most vulnerable members of society,” Mwenye said.
He said the ACC strategic plan for 2022-2026 sets out an operational framework to guide the execution of the commission’s mandate during the five year implementation period.
Mwenye said the framework will ultimately guide the commission’s programming, decision making and resource mobilization as well as allocation during the period 2022-2026.
He also highlighted challenges facing the commission in the execution of its mandate and these include, inadequate legal framework, inadequate communication and coordination, inadequate financial resources , inadequate equipment, increased levels of public tolerance for corruption, highly centralized structure , inadequate staff and high turnover of staff reluctance by members of the public to report corruption and inadequate specialized skills for members of staff.
Mwenye said the strategic plan has endeavored to address some of the challenges, adding that the successful implementation of this plan would largely depend on the political will, among other factors.
And TIZ president Priscilla Chansa Chikonde observed that there are still a number of gaps in the anti-corruption legal framework which are making it difficult to foster transparency and to hold public officials accountable.
She said despite the draft legislation having been in progress since 2002, Zambia to-date has no access to information law.
“Due to these gaps in the Anti-Corruption legal framework, it is difficult to foster transparency and to hold public officials accountable,” she observed.
Chikonde also said lack of legislation specifically related to anti-corruption measures presents a serious challenge to the prevention of corruption and asset recovery.
She said despite the notable efforts made, Zambia is yet to finalize a new national anti-corruption policy.
“This has left the corruption agenda deficient in clear policy direction and guidance,” she said.
Chikonde called on the government and the United Nations office on drugs and crime to expedite official country review in order for Zambia to publish its report.
She said this will allow non-state actors to conduct a comparative analysis and promote greater country accountability.
“Through these efforts we believe that together we unite the world against corruption,” said Chikonde.
President Hichilema who was represented by Home Affairs minister Jack Mwiimbu said the government was resolute in eradicating corruption from the civil service, public procurement system, government contract awards, and all sectors of the economy to ensure Zambia’s prosperity.
“My government will not shield any public official found engaging in corruption. We are resolute in eradicating corruption from the civil service, public procurement system, government contract awards, and all sectors of our economy to ensure Zambia’s prosperity, “he said. “I call on Zambians to stand united against corruption by exposing corrupt acts in our communities, with the confidence that they will be protected by the law.”
The President said the government has pursued past, present and future corruption comprehensively and inclusively.
He said the campaign has been characterized by a non-political hand, devoid of vengeance and retribution.
“This government is, fundamentally, holding those who held public office accountable to the people of Zambia. To expedite the resolution of corruption cases, we have introduced new strategies, including the establishment of fast track Economic and Financial Crimes Courts. The measure ensures that law enforcement agencies can quickly conclude cases and take remedial action as determined by the courts,” President Hichilema said.
He said the government was actively pursuing the recovery of assets through corruption and related crimes.
“These assets will be returned and redirected to key social sectors, such as education and health care, uplifting the lives of our people,” he said.
President Hichilema said his government remains unwavering in its commitment to fighting corruption and ensuring that no public official is allowed to engage in corrupt practices with impunity.
He said the government has taken numerous actions to eliminate corruption from various sectors of the country and that the government was committed to working closely with the international community and cooperating partners to find common solutions to the global corruption problem.
President Hichilema said the fight against corruption has been methodical and professional, making it an unattractive endeavor for those who may wish to engage in it.
United Nations resident coordinator Beatrice Mutali said the UN partners with the government, cooperating partners and the international community to celebrate this year’s event, it is important to remain resolute and hopeful in the collective actions to fight and win the battle against corruption.
Mutali said as Zambia prepares to undergo the second cycle of review that focuses on prevention and asset recovery, it is the UN fervent hope that the government will maintain this resolve to send the message that corruption will not be tolerated or accommodated in any of its forms in the country.
ACC director general Thom Trevor Shamakamba said the commission is aware of the high expectations from the public, and acknowledges the critical role it plays in safeguarding the integrity of the nation.
Shamakamba said the day should be celebrated because it is a cancer that erodes society, destroys democracies, destroys all sorts of institutions, leads to abuse of human rights, and leads to under development and corruption leads over pricing of services and goods
“It is for this reason that we should celebrate this day and look at some of the achievements we have made to combat and fight corruption. If we let corruption take over our societies, societies will be destroyed. It is therefore important that we continue celebrating the achievements that we have made in the world,” He said.
Shamakamba further said the country should invest in the young ones, saying if it is not done, the future is dark.
The event was attended by various government institutions, senior government officials cooperating partners and pupils from various schools in Lusaka.
Apart from speeches, the pupils presented poems and plays centered on corruption.
