By Isaac Zulu
Pambashe member of parliament Ronald Chitotela has questioned the inertia being exhibited by some of those in cabinet and members of parliament on the need to declare their assets.
In an interview with Daily Revelation, Chitotela said that it is important for public officials to declare their assets so that when they are queried in future on how they acquired their wealth, they should be able to account for what they own.
“It’s important for the leadership of declare their assets because if we are to live as leaders, we do this process. Why should we be afraid to declare our income? In case tomorrow we are questioned, we must be able to account for what we own and how we acquired them (properties) because public life is about service,” Chitotela explained. “I have been a member of parliament for 12 years, and the whole 12 years I have been declaring my assets. And I have nothing to hide.”
The Patriot Front lawmaker emphasised that when leaders pledge to be transparent in the conduct of their business, they should practice what they preach even when they assume public office.
“So I want to encourage everyone in leadership to practice what we say and be people of our own words. If we say we shall be transparent in the conduct of our business, we must live by that word,” said Chitotela, who also served as the first deputy labour minister in the Michael Sata PF administration.
Prominent among the people not to have declared their assets is President Hakainde Hichilema. In what has been routine tradition in previous elections, the presidential candidates in the 2021 general elections, including former president Edgar Lungu, did not divulge their assets.
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