By Daily Revelation Editor
Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) says Zambia’s score has improved in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) from 37 in 2023 to 39 in 2024, while its ranking has moved from 92 in 2023 to 98 in 2024.
TI-Z attributed the improvement to reduction in bribery in business operations due to the introduction of electronic government service reforms, such as digitalisation of the mining licence application process, enhanced beneficial ownership, and the increase in the number of public institutions formulating service chapters.
However, despite that improvement, TI-Z warned that corruption remained endemic in the country, as Zambia remained below the global average score of 43 out of 100.
The fact that the country has improved means that some positive strides are being taken to improve, and the government and the institutions mandated to fight the vice must be commended for the effort. However, they cannot relax, as the score clearly points to the fact that corruption remains endemic in the country, to the point where the vice has become generally normalised.
To achieve the desired results, the government and institutions mandated to fight corruption must work on getting public confidence in the fight, entrenching the fight in the minds of the people, through action as opposed to mere rhetoric. They should avoid at whatever creating a permanent impression in the understanding of people that the fight is political, aimed at punishing corrupt former leaders. Not necessary out of interest to fight corruption, but solely to punish them for not toeing the line.
We say so because we are aware of many other former leaders who have skeletons in their cupboards, but have been let to go scot-free because they have ‘obediently’ chosen to toe the line.
Moreover, it doesn’t lend any effort towards the fight against corruption when a key investigative wing announces to the public that they are investigating ministers and other senior government officials, without any tangible progress many months or even years after that announcement.
Following the CPI presentation by TI-Z yesterday, acting ACC director general Monica Chipanta said the public should not expect the ACC to act like ‘sangomas (witchdoctors)’ when they allege corruption without providing details. But this is the same Chipanta who actually informed the nation that some ministers and other senior government officials were being investigated, but she would not mention any of them in order to protect their integrity. Chipanta has not seen the need to brief the nation on how far the commission has gone in investigating the same corrupt officials.
Alternatively, if the commission has conducted the investigations and found the officials in question not liable, there is no harm coming back to the same public you announced ongoing investigations to, that you conducted the probes but have not found the people you were investigating not wanting, in order to put closure to the whole matter.
As things stand, the public is waiting to hear progress on how far the probes have gone. The silence from ACC is not healthy. It is actions such as those which negate some of the efforts in the fight against corruption. Who knows, probably the country’s perception index could have noticed some more impressive numbers if those mandated in fighting corruption had acted on some of these lingering issues.
You can subscribe to read all our past and latest ePapers, plus all premium content at only K22 weekly and K65 monthly on this link 
https://dailyrevelationzambia.com/membership-account/membership-levels/
Related
By Daily Revelation Editor
Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) says Zambia’s score has improved in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) from 37 in 2023 to 39 in 2024, while its ranking has moved from 92 in 2023 to 98 in 2024.
TI-Z attributed the improvement to reduction in bribery in business operations due to the introduction of electronic government service reforms, such as digitalisation of the mining licence application process, enhanced beneficial ownership, and the increase in the number of public institutions formulating service chapters.
However, despite that improvement, TI-Z warned that corruption remained endemic in the country, as Zambia remained below the global average score of 43 out of 100.
The fact that the country has improved means that some positive strides are being taken to improve, and the government and the institutions mandated to fight the vice must be commended for the effort. However, they cannot relax, as the score clearly points to the fact that corruption remains endemic in the country, to the point where the vice has become generally normalised.
To achieve the desired results, the government and institutions mandated to fight corruption must work on getting public confidence in the fight, entrenching the fight in the minds of the people, through action as opposed to mere rhetoric. They should avoid at whatever creating a permanent impression in the understanding of people that the fight is political, aimed at punishing corrupt former leaders. Not necessary out of interest to fight corruption, but solely to punish them for not toeing the line.
We say so because we are aware of many other former leaders who have skeletons in their cupboards, but have been let to go scot-free because they have ‘obediently’ chosen to toe the line.
Moreover, it doesn’t lend any effort towards the fight against corruption when a key investigative wing announces to the public that they are investigating ministers and other senior government officials, without any tangible progress many months or even years after that announcement.
Following the CPI presentation by TI-Z yesterday, acting ACC director general Monica Chipanta said the public should not expect the ACC to act like ‘sangomas (witchdoctors)’ when they allege corruption without providing details. But this is the same Chipanta who actually informed the nation that some ministers and other senior government officials were being investigated, but she would not mention any of them in order to protect their integrity. Chipanta has not seen the need to brief the nation on how far the commission has gone in investigating the same corrupt officials.
Alternatively, if the commission has conducted the investigations and found the officials in question not liable, there is no harm coming back to the same public you announced ongoing investigations to, that you conducted the probes but have not found the people you were investigating not wanting, in order to put closure to the whole matter.
As things stand, the public is waiting to hear progress on how far the probes have gone. The silence from ACC is not healthy. It is actions such as those which negate some of the efforts in the fight against corruption. Who knows, probably the country’s perception index could have noticed some more impressive numbers if those mandated in fighting corruption had acted on some of these lingering issues.
You can subscribe to read all our past and latest ePapers, plus all premium content at only K22 weekly and K65 monthly on this link
https://dailyrevelationzambia.com/membership-account/membership-levels/
Related
You can share this post!
Don’t expect ACC to act like sangomas – Acting Director
MY FATHER BOUGHT RANCH FOR ME – TASILA … Only a reckless father would not take care of his children
Related Articles
Govt please address Kwacha depreciation
Political will is what is required to appoint…
Increased MP nominations proposed for amendments