President Hakainde Hichilema has reiterated that his administration will make it uncomfortable for public officers to engage in corruption.
President Hichilema said there is political will in his administration to hand over reports of the Auditor General, Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC), and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to the prosecutions authority.
He told journalists during a press conference at State House yesterday that there was deep-rooted corruption in the previous administration hence the current government’s determination to fight the scourge.
“PAC [parliamentary Accounts Committee] should not only be a process, we have the political will now,” he said.
And President Hichilema has disclosed that his contention about the Gulf Stream (presidential jet) was that it was procured at an exaggerated price.
When answering a question on whether his administration will sell the plane or not as stated during campaigns, the President disclosed that his suspicions about overpricing the cost of the plane were true.
“We did not agree with the price of the Gulf Stream, it is the price of the plane we contended, we now have the figures and we have been proved right. Our position is still the same,” he said.
President Hichilema said the issue of the plane, which is the property of the Zambia Air Force (ZAF), will be taken to cabinet and parliament.
“But it does not mean the plane is unnecessary,” he argued.
And the Head of State has warned those that have be appointed to key government positions and those that will be appointment at a later stage to “check” themselves and ensure that they do not fall prey to corruption.
He said those that would be found wanting will have themselves to blame.
On whether his administration would remove former President Edgar Lungu’s immunity if he was found to have engaged into corrupt practices during his tenure of office, President Hichilema said, “we will cross the bridge when we reach there,” if it will be necessary.
HEHH never said the jet was un necessary , it was over priced……..international aviation cycles quote $40 to 65 million range was paid…….
If the jet will be used, it will be used with cost saving in mind , like avoiding long parking fees………
If HEHH had his way and selling the jet will not be at to great a loss , HEHH would sell it and redirect the money where urgently needed.,…….
Mukula logs ,48 houses ,$1m fire tenders ,eSwatini mansion….corruption became very fashionable during PF reign.HH will end it all.
Please sir make this fight a priority… this contagious disease that was introduced by ecl and pf has robbed many opportunities from our people… how can a wreck cost a mill?? that thing that cannot even push water beyond a 200 meter mark.
We need a proper Independent Anti corruption in place headed by a judge and other men and women of good standing un society to be investigating corruption issues in public and private… and if found wanting evidence turned over to law enforcement agencies for prosecution.
We need a proper Independent Anti corruption in place headed by a judge and other men and women of good standing un society to be investigating corruption issues in public and private… and if found wanting evidence turned over to law enforcement agencies for prosecution.
This is what other countries are doing about corruption: h_t_t_p_s_:_//_w_w_w.news._com_.au/national/nsw-act/news/nsw-premier-gladys-berejiklian-to-make-significant-announcement-following-icac-action/news-story/dd87d01a93ccc2e317d0eb68cb8c9159 (remove ‘_’).
They prosecute corruption scandals in public and even just suspicions and loss of confidence, govt officials actually resign.
Lip service won’t eradicate deep rooted corruption in Zambia because it is embedded in the fabric of life. Even just asking a person on the street for directions, they want to be paid as “nchekeleko”. You also need to publicly reward good behaviour as incentives… let the kids have role models for people with integrity (let integrity be taught in schools so you can groom kids with good standards).
h_t_t_p_s_:_//_w_w_w.icac.nsw.gov.au/
Check that website and see how are friends are genuinely fighting corruption.
This is what other countries are doing about corruption: h_t_t_p_s_:_//_w_w_w.news._com_.au/national/nsw-act/news/nsw-premier-gladys-berejiklian-to-make-significant-announcement-following-icac-action/news-story/dd87d01a93ccc2e317d0eb68cb8c9159 (remove ‘_’).
They prosecute corruption scandals in public and even just suspicions and loss of confidence, govt officials actually resign.
A nyandule made the country quite a tuck shop for themselves… it is a mess to sort out. Godspeed Mr President.
Just lock lungu up, he will then be singing like a bird and giving all the names and where the money is
The last time a discussion about that jet came about , i said it was fitted with an expensive anti missile system in isreal…..
that bummped up the price considerably
Someone who claimed to be a pilot from the federal era claimed it is too small to fit rockets…….!!!
Rockets ? , anti missile systems can be jamming systems , anti heat seeking flaires , all which can comftably fit on that jet…..
The federal pilot mentioned anti collision…….., if even a car can have anti collision, most modern jets come with some sort of ati collision
The term ‘uncomfortable’ is an understatement. Mr President you need to make it ‘very difficult’ for public officers to engage in corruption. Former French President Nicholas Sarkozy has been sent to jail for engaging in illegal activities during his reign as President. This is the way to go. People should not think that just because they become President they can do anything they want
Talk oh! talk. If it’s like empty tins then noise making is taking toll.
The level of promises is not showing signs of abating.
In my new language “parler n’est pas cher” simply translated in English as “talk is cheap”
Ain’t we Zambians renowned for talk talk and talk.
I will do this and that is not doing.
Bull-crap talks everything else walks…..Let us see action which speaks louder than words because as we stand the blame is on the previous regime unlike implementation of these proposed developments by the new government yet everything in use was left by PF.
The immunity issue must be take with caution by considering validity of allegations not political emotions. HH remember you will be former president as well…………. OR else muzingo mangana chabe……………. Chiluba did that to KK and it was done to Chiluba by Mwanawsa!!!! Chaona muzako mailo chilipaliwe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The characteristics of empty tins.
Work and we will, without malice, laud you.
HH i agree with the stance you are taking when it comes to corruption………..THIS IS WHAT I HAVE ALWAYS SAID, AFRICA DOESN’T NEED DEMOCRACY, WE NEED A STRONG LEADER, BE ONE, GO OUT THERE WITH FULL FORCE AND HAVE THE JOB DONE BY THOSE WHO THINK THEY DO OUR NATION A FAVOR BY SITTING IN THOSE OFFICES. WHEN THEY STEAL, NAB THEM. WE SHALL SUPPORT YOU. BY THE WAY , I ENJOYED WATCHING YOUR PRESS BRIEFING AND I WILL ALWAYS SUPPORT YOU ONLY IF YOU CARRY ON WITH THE SEMI DICTATORIAL TENDENCIES, LIKE YOU PORTRAYED DURING THE BRIEF. AFRICA DOES NOT NOT DEMOCRATIC LEADERS, WE NEED SEMI-DICTATORS TO DEVELOP BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF PUSHING THESE CHAPS IN MINISTIRIAL OFFICES AND IN GOVT OFFICES REQUIRED. PUSH THEM, FIRE THEM WHEN THE SLEEP, LEARN FROM KAGAME AND HOW HIS COUNTRY HAS TRANSFORMED…
Corruption fight can only be successful if the institutions that fight it are reorganised and reconstituted. The same people who have failed in these institutions are still running the agenda of corruption fight. Remove them. They are very incompetent. How many straightforward cases have they lost?
Where is the Zambia Air Ways!
Now we have a problem in state house we shall start cycling in stead of driving stop flying and start driving abroad.
No Zambia air ways every thing gone with ECL .
If this guy couldn’t even manage an helicopter for himself with all that wealth , how can he encourage a national flag carrier.
Zambia is becoming his own farm.
I am so encouraged and proud to have a President who speaks like you do Sir. Please make it real – obviously we expect thieves to hate you !
I wish you luck,but Corruption is to deep in the blood of Zambian civil servants,they cant do without.
#19 I am watching
October 1, 2021 At 12:25 pm
“I wish you luck,but Corruption is to deep in the blood of Zambian civil servants,they cant do without…”
That is true , corruption is also in most countries………
But the difference is leadership…….
Lungu did not even deny allegations that he was a corrupt theif…………
It became monkey see monkey do with the civil service…..
#19 I am watching
October 1, 2021 At 12:25 pm
“I wish you luck,but Corruption is to deep in the blood of Zambian civil servants,they cant do without…”
That is true , corruption is also in most countries………
But the difference is leadership…….
Lulu did not even deny allegations that he was a corrupt the.if…………
It became mon.key see mon.key do with the civil service…..
Just revisit all those Audit reports under PF, especially the ones that were swept under the carpet. The reports will show how public funds were embezzled. To pursue corruption cases it’s like a Bemba saying Ichakukonko ulubilo naiwe chikonke ulubilo …. Speed up those investigations before more info is shredded by ill minded public officers at the moment the govt still operating with bad eggs in it.
If UPND want to win this fight let them start with junior civil servant. E.g fire all registry chaps at ministry of lands you will see the impact. our target has been controlling officers all along yet they dont steal much compared to these juniors. In most cases these chaps are the initiators of corruption and they even get bigger chunks.
The corruption virus permeated throughout society. The most painful is the swindling of unemployed youths by some HR criminals in recruitment syndicates. The sad thing is that they had nowhere to complain to. Decentralize the FIC, DEC etc. and have public hotlines to end the scourge. there is some hope. Mwanawasa had achieved some success in resetting the corruption perspective of society.
Here is how you effectively end corruption . 1. Make sure no one is above the law. Everybody has to be investigated, if suspected of engaging in corruption. That includes the Cabinet Ministers. 2. Shorten the investigations, and inform the public concerning the progress of the case, all the way up to its conclusion. People want to see that the corrupt culprits are convicted and sent to prison. Corruption cases should not just fade from public view. We want to see the end of the case, someone ending up behind bars. 3. Mete out stiff penalties for corruption. The minimum prison time should be 10 years and maximum 150 years. 4. Post posters in all government offices and other public offices that say, “Report corruption. It’s a serious crime to offer a bribe or solicit for one. To…
So far we can assess that the President talks too much, no action. We are getting impatient with BMW.