THE Government is closing in on more high-profile personalities in the ongoing investigations against corruption to eradicate the vice in a more steadfast fashion.
Vice-President, Guy Scott said the Government had remained focused on investigations against former Government officials and other individuals, indicating that more would be “visited” soon.
Investigative wings, he said, would not be distracted despite accusations that the probe was selective and meant to persecute some people.
Dr Scott said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that the Patriotic Front (PF) had categorically stated before assuming power that it would pursue people who could have stolen or acquired property corruptly.
The vice-president said investigative wings would vigorously follow former officials who served in Government institutions and that the corruption fight was one of the aspects the PF pledged to eradicate without any vengeance.
He said it was folly for some former leaders to cry foul instead of seizing the opportunity to defend themselves.
Investigative wings had continued to collect more valuable leads in the ongoing probe.
The vice-president assured that innocent people would be protected and that those who would be found to have acquired money or property genuinely would be cleared.
He said investigative wings would soon pounce on some more high profile personalities.
Last week, former Finance minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane complained that the PF Government had maliciously targeted to persecute some people under the guise of fighting corruption and that it had failed to meet most of its pledges in 90 days.
Another former Foreign Affairs minister in the MMD government, Kabinga Pande, who is eyeing the top position in the former ruling party, accused the Government of embarking on a “witch-hunt.”
But Dr Scott said statements by the two former ministers were inaccurate and meant to divert the citizens’ attention from the steady progress the Government was making.
Investigative wings have seized about 1,000 bicycles from Dr Musokotwane and other MMD leaders and also impounded trucks from the former ruling party.
Former Mines minister, Maxwell Mwale is already appearing in court over some bicycles bought from funds suspected to have been stolen, and so is former Labour minister, Austin Liato on whose premises more than K2 billion cash was alleged to have been dug out.
Meanwhile, the vice-president said the Government had met most benchmarks in the 90 days it had been in power.
He said his Government had started a comprehensive policy reform on which to implement development programmes aimed at turning around the economy of the country.
He said Zambian workers would start earning higher salaries from April next year when the K2 million exempt tax threshold on pay-as-you-earn takes effect.
Dr Scott said the mineral royalty tax had been revised from three to six per cent, which the MMD government never did when it was in power.
He said Zambians should expect more benefits as the PF Government starts implementing the national Budget, which was approved last week on Friday.
Dr Scott said the Government had allowed the public media to cover all political parties and promote divergent views because it valued a free media and enhanced democracy.
The vice-president said the media was polarised under MMD while corruption was high.
He said Zambians were able to see the landmark achievements such as reduced fuel prices and base lending rates.
[Times of Zambia]
yawns! more rhetoric,isnt this same guy who conned farmers about the swine fever and got rewarded handsomely, he was actually fired as MOA.
People change. At least they are doing something about it, Where as RBish encouraged it.
Please can the Polcie summon VP and reacord a warn statement over the swine fever. People easily forget (has he?) or he thinks the police can do that now…. He must be thinking that we dont remember. We remember sir, very well.
See above reply. MMD were bigger crooks and you know it.
meant ‘Police’ and ‘record’
Dr G…DONT ALRM THE SITUATION….you will make these lads run away…..seal all the holes before you come in the open for such statements….blogger…your a next…….loading………
Even though RBish has attempted to conceal his embezzlements mark my word he will be caught out. He has stolen more than Chiluba, plus he seems to forget that you can’t take it with you.
Are these politicians different? It’s the same Sata MMD; Sata PF. Sata UNIP, RB MMD; RB UNIPI. The only difference is that Sata is unlearned and unmannered president.
COMMUNICATION NEXT TO WORKS AND SUPPLY IS ANOTHER CULPRIT MINISTRY……..SO MUCH CORRUPTION…. MINISTER PLEASE CLEAN UP THIS MESS AT THIS MINISTRY…CHAPS ARE STEALING DAY AND NIGHT WITH IMPUNITY…..ACC,DEC PLEASE FOLLOW THESE EMPLOYEES—- YOU WILL BE SHOCKED ON WHAT THEY HAVE COMPARED TO THE SALARIES,LOAND THEY HAVE GOTTEN…CRACKDOWN ON THE ACCOUNTS DEPT…IT IS A MESS……..POOR PEOPLES MONEY IS BEING SALAULARD
of course mr. vp. we all know these guys stole big time. how else can one explain the idiocy of liato. (burying K2 billion) under rb, it was “tula twabane.” mr. vp, arrest them and do not be distracted by some bloggers here. they are connected to these thieves one way or another.
please lets fix the lot, if the present Italian govt can crack the mafia, we can deal with these kawalalas Red brick get signed confessions please, we don,t want costly lengthy court cases, some can do as favours and do a Sipalo please. Lets put the recovered loot to better use. That Nasa looking hotel in kamwala is a good start. IF RED BRICK NEEDS HELP WILLING AND ABLE TO CRACK RIBS,TOES,FINGERS THE LOWER HORN ETC let them know boma ni boma cos l can see they are still bragging
We cannot accept a situation where all criminals play victim to a with-hunt in stead of advancing credible arguments in their defence. How does keeping 1000 bicycles become a witch-hunt honestly when you are not a bicycle trader? We actually need an Assets Forfeiture Unit (AFU) in Zambia which has standing powers to approach anyone in the country who is known or thought to have unexplained wealth to account for it.
Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!! A dog seller now Sweems in billions…… The president’s son.
He has been arrested already I should think
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Dr Gee, we’re with you. We supported you precisely because you promised to sort out the mess. Investigate the buggers and lock them up, throw away the key. It is easier to forgive (and we are very forgiving) people who show remorse. These buggers are being arrogant on top of the crimes they committed and the intolerance they showed to opposing views. Anyone saying witch-hunt is in the minority and not worth your time, Dr. Gee. They are mostly in the diaspora anyway. Those who voted for you, who are the majority, are ready and willing to give you a chance to carry out your mandate. Pamaka. Patriotic Fire. We love Zambia and we abhor theft from the under-privileged. Cage the culprits.
Konga – Hotel Grader worth $1 million
! Musokotwane 1,000 bicycles at his farm! Dora ama Honda ( motor bikes ) 20 for personal use ! Liato K2 billion buried at his farm! Max Mwale 200 bicyles ! RB – $700 pin real estate development in Kabulonga. My conclusion is that all the ex ministers hands are dirty ! Why it takes so long to cage these chaps with so much evidence is beyond me. Only Kashiwa Bulaya and Richard Sakala got behind bars. Let us wait and see !!!
Reply
Beware of some bloggers who are connected to these thieves. The investigative wings put in place are not dull people who will fail to leave any stone unturned. If these these thieves are not going to be caged then TUSULEKO fye. I knwow Michael is a man of action, he is capable of cleaning Zambia. Why talk about a pension to a person who assumed office only to enrich himself and those close to him. The man has done more arm to this country. So a pension is just there for formality even if a president has been a failure he can deserve a pension. What nonses.
Phiri J, You are very stupid and the most unmannered person on this planate earth.
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