By Chinoyi Chipulu
The Anti-Corruption Commission has celebrated the announcement by President Hakainde Hichilema that over K100 million worth of assets alleged to have been criminally acquired have been seized by the state.
Addressing Parliament yesterday, President Hichilema announced that over K100 million, mainly property acquired during the PF administration, has been seized from individuals by the state.
The President further said properties valued at over K100 million and cash amounting to US$30.8 million have been forfeited to the State.
He insisted that his administration would continue to fight corruption wholesomely, despite charges levelled against him that he has ignored the alleged corruption being committed in the UPND administration and failed to ask officials who are under investigations to step aside as he promised before he assumed office.
President Hichilema said UPND was determined to eradicate all forms of corruption in the country.
“We remain firmly committed to zero tolerance policy against this vice. All suspected cases, all forms of corruption will not be tolerated, past, present, future. And there’s nothing to hide behind ethnicity, to hide behind religion or political parties in the fight against corruption,” he said. “Asset recovery is part of the integral fight against corruption. And over U$25 million United States dollars was recovered from an individual. So this house must be united on the fight against corruption.”
President Hichilema said the government started the fight against corruption on a slow pace because the laws were weak but his administration had amended the laws.
“We started slow, because the court procedures were weak and we’re being abused. We amended those and now the fight has gained speed .you will see more, didn’t we take a motor vehicle only two days ago? We did,” he said.
During the same address, President Hichilema regretted the current energy crisis which has resulted in prolonged load-shedding of over 20 hours.
Speaking when he opened the 4th Session of the 13th National Assembly under the theme: “enhancing national resilience, sustaining social economic gains in the midst of climate change, President Hichilema said the government sympathised with citizens for the difficulties they were going through during this difficult time.
“The drought has a negative impact on most sectors of our economy, especially the agriculture sector, water and indeed the energy sectors.This has affected the lives of our people and our food security has been threatened, our water levels are low,” he said.
The President said in the wake of the climate change effects, government had still recorded positive strides towards economic growth.
“We have long hours of loadshedding, madam speaker, this is regrettable and we sympathise with the citizens during this difficult time, our hearts are with you fellow citizens,” he said.
President Hichilema said despite the economic challenges posed by the drought, government was implementing various recovery programs to cushion the effect.
“Following our declarations of the drought as a national disaster, government has put in place interventions like providing humanitarian assistance to our people. We are enhancing copying capacities for our communities. We are implementing recovery and resilience interventions to mitigate the impact of climate change,” he said.
President Hichilema said the government remained committed to addressing the high cost of living posed by climate change.
He also revealed that the country had begun servicing its external debt to promote debt sustainability.
“It should be noted that even after restructuring, our country is still carrying a heavy debt burden from the past years of extravagance. We appreciate the house for passing the supplementary budget to make this possible,” he said.
He also said the government would recruit more teachers and about 4000 health workers and supporting staff this year.
“More teachers will be recruited to further reduce teacher deficit in schools. By investing in skills and education, we are laying a good foundation for our country. Additionally government will recruit 4000 health workers countrywide,” he said.
President Hichilema further announced an increase in the 2025 budgetary allocation for the Sustainable Financing Agriculture Program to K1.2 billion from K400 million, to promote year-round cultivation and harvesting of crops.
The head of state urged citizens to consider investing in the country’s electricity production to address the current power deficit caused by low production and high demand.
