By Mubanga Mubanga
Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) president Priscilla Chansa says the organisation and other stakeholders are alarmed with the consent judgments the state is entering into with various individuals connected to the ruling party.
And T-lZ research manager Bright Chizonde says Zambia’s score has improved in the corruption perception index (CPI) from 37 in 2023 to 39 in 2024, while for the ranking it has moved from 92 in 2023 to 98 in 2024 which is an improvement.
Speaking during the launch of CPI at Radisson Blu Hotel in Lusaka yesterday, Chansa said various stakeholders had expressed alarm over some recent consent judgment.
“TI-Z and other stakeholders have continued to raise alarm over recent consent judgments entered into between the state and various individuals. In our view, while some consent judgments are justifiable, others lack sound legal justification and may serve as racketeering schemes,” Chansa said. “For instance, in cases where individuals acted in a private capacity, there is no moral or legal basis for the state to offer compensation. Such actions not only undermine the integrity of our legal system but also erode public trust in our institutions.”
And Chizonde attributed the increase in CPI to reduction of bribery in business operations due to the introduction of electronic government service reforms, such as digitalisation of the mining license application process, enhanced beneficial ownership and the increase in the number of public institutions formulating service chapters.
He however, said the country should not relax from improving, because Zambia was still below the average score of 43 out of 100 which meant that corruption was still endemic.
“Due to the two points move towards one hundred, one hundred is very clean. The level of public sector corruption in Zambia has reduced in 2024 as compared to 2023. That is the conclusion,” Chizonde said.
“Due to the below 50 out the 100 score, corruption is still endemic in Zambia, and the country remains below the global average score of 43 out 100. We have improved but we still have our eye where we are supposed to be going.”
Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) acting director general Monica Chipanta said the government had put up different interventions to fight corruption in the last two years.
She mentioned the judicial reforms which saw the establishment of the Economical and Financial Crimes Court, the operationalisation of the Criminal Procedure Code, among other interventions.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Justice Permanent Secretary Isabel Lemba said the improvement in the CPI showed the commitment and resolve of the UPND government to reduce public sector corruption in the country.
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