ActionAid Zambia has said that the fight against corruption in Zambia seems not to be yielding effective results as evidenced in the decline in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI).
In a statement released to the media in joining the rest of the world in commemorating the International Anti-Corruption Day under the theme “Your right, your role; Say no to Corruption”, Action Aid Zambia said that Zambia’s CPI score has dropped by five points since 2018, indicating a rise in public sector corruption and that it is no secret that rampant corruption has resulted into limited access to public services.
Action Aid further noted that it is unfortunate that, in Zambia, most people who are involved in corrupt acts are not prosecuted and that the prosecution rate is very low especially among politically inclined officials and persons.
ActionAid Zambia recommended that the approach to prosecution should be governed by the following principle of dealing with all cases and that no case is too small to investigate and cases must be dealt with cases regardless of rank and status, and also deal with both givers and takers of bribes as they are equally culpable.
Below is the full statement
ActionAid Zambia today joins Zambia and the rest of the world in commemorating the International Anti-Corruption Day under the theme “Your right, your role; Say no to Corruption.” The International Anti-Corruption Day is celebrated annually on 9th December.
Fighting corruption is a global concern because corruption is found in both rich and poor countries, and evidence shows that it hurts poor people disproportionately. Corruption contributes to instability, high levels of poverty and is a dominant factor driving fragile countries towards state failure. In Zambia, the fight against corruption seems not to be yielding effective results as evidenced in the decline on the Corruption Perception Index (CPI). Zambia’s CPI score has dropped by five points since 2018, indicating a rise in public sector corruption. It is no secret that rampant corruption has resulted into limited access to public services.
Therefore, the 2021 theme entails that we all must unite in this hour of the Covid-19 crisis and share responsibilities to promote resilience and integrity at all levels of society. We saw how the Covid-19 funds were misappropriated which resulted in loss of millions of kwacha at the expense of the vulnerable people leading to poor access of health care and supplies.
Further, we have seen how complex corruption is becoming in Zambia mainly perpetrated by those entrusted to run the affairs of the country by the people for personal financial gain.
The Republican President, Hakainde Hichilema raised so many expectations regarding the fight against corruption looking at the increased number of cases that were reported after the 2021 August elections to the Anti-Corruption Commission. The new dawn government committed to a “zero-tolerance policy” on corruption and ensuring that perpetrators are held to account. They further committed to introduce specialized mechanisms to fast-track the recovery of stolen assets, as well as courts, focused on corruption and economic crimes.
ActionAid Zambia acknowledges that such commitments are progressive but if they lack action, they make the fight against corruption incomplete.
ActionAid Zambia notes that a prosecution is a major tool in the fight against corruption as it ensures that corrupt offenders are held to account through prosecution. Unfortunately, in Zambia, most people who are involved in corrupt acts are not prosecuted. The prosecution rate is very low especially among politically inclined officials and persons. Therefore, ActionAid Zambia recommends that the approach to prosecution should be governed by the following principles: (a) deal with all cases. No case is too small to investigate; (b) deal with cases regardless of rank and status, and (c) deal with both givers and takers of bribes. They are equally culpable.
A country determined to fight corruption must have the political will to change laws and the structure of government institutions, to not tolerate corrupt conduct, and to allocate resources to investigate and prosecute corrupt individuals. Thus, ActionAid Zambia is calling on the government to ensure that all international conventions on Anti Corruption are domesticated and Anti-corruption Act of 2012 is reviewed and amended considering the enhancement of the scoop of the Zambian anti-corruption related pieces of legislation such as the Asset declarations, Whistle-blower protection, Plea bargain and negotiations, Asset recovery (local and international) and Public procurement to mention a few.
Furthermore, there is an urgent need for more specialized training, covering especially forensic accounting looking at the sophistication and complexity of these crimes contrast with the broad lack of sufficient capacity and appropriate training of persons charged with investigating and prosecuting these crimes.
Lastly, the fight against corruption is not just for the Anti-Corruption Commission or civil society organizations, but the citizens as well must take the leading role by ensuring that they do not engage in corrupt practices. Remember, you have a role to play in curbing corruption therefore, say no to it for a better Zambia.
Nalucha Nganga Ziba
Country Director, ActionAid Zambia.
Corrupt Leaders deprive citizens of their rights. The issue with Zambians is that when someone tries to fight corruption, it is taken as a witch-hunt. Yet these are people especially PF Lawmakers, who have no shame and brag over their theft. Let us support the President than condemn him for fighting corruption.
Because is selective and Political…you’re free to be corrupt if you’re UPND and the recovered loot is being looted again…so it’s back to zero…corruption reloaded…..Zambians can’t wait for 2026 so that they can get rid of a bunch of liars
Last paragraph is very on the point. As we celebrate the arrest of a former mister, have we checked our conduct. Like this one I see jumping with joy at the arrest of Malanji. The gentleman is a chemest on the mines. What he does is he connives with people delivering ore concentrate from the DRC by inflating the grades contained in the concentrate. After payment for the concentrate based on the declared grade, he goes to share the spoils with these people. He’s built houses all over Kitwe.
I do agree with the statement. But I think more emphasis needs to be placed on education and sensitization. Organisations like this ActionAid needs to be major stakeholders in educating the public. Education should start at grassroots level and primary schools. Corruption is not just about stealing public resources and prosecuting the offenders; rather it is a way of thinking, a culture. I bet majority of people don’t even know what ‘corruption’ is.
Also the fight should encompass all aspects of life, including fighting poverty and creating a prosperous society. Finally strengthen laws like ‘probity’ and ‘conflict of interest’ laws. You also need to reward good behaviour… in short you need a multifaceted approach to fighting corruption.
You can not change perceptions and altitudes on corruption with in a few months……….
It will take atleast a year of sustained anti corruption messages and actions together with arrests to see results…….
We have started in Ernest………
That shouldn’t come as a surprise, when really this is just political persecution of former ruling party officials. To hell with and abash the upnd!
Unfortunately, the UPND has misconceived the corruption fight as an instrument to finish off the PF hence the celebrated arrest of Malanji. Corruption has permeated almost all spheres of Zambian life and therefore it can’t be fought by the UPND alone. Almost all institutions have that individual that’ll always approach you in a manner that proposes a kickback. Those that certify goods like Alfred H. Knight, SGS, mine procurement and HR, Service commissions, Prisons, where else? Convicts don’t sleep in prison if they’re connected. Colleges admit students without minimum qualifications, randy lecturers award points using their dicks. Zambia is lost, we can try but we won’t manage till Kingdom come. It’s now our way of life. We have failed to rule ourselves
Yes, corruption starts with the way you raise your Children. Integrity is a virtue – some culture promote stealing and crookedness right from Childhood.
Even people who know well jump the gun, not sure why. People have to be investigated first, charged, and then committed to courts of law. You know corruption fight is not an overnight.
The pf people are the ones that were in government and they did a lot wrong things to our country, they ought to answer some questions. There is no way the investigative wings would go and ask anyone who was not even close to the running of country affairs.
Whatever the case, this police should investigate and charge the wrongdoers, poor people need those resources that were stolen, misused, or anything not right
#7 Ayatollah
December 9, 2021 At 4:21 pm
“Unfortunately, the UPND has misconceived the corruption fight as an instrument to finish off the PF hence the celebrated arrest of Malanji. Corruption has permeated almost all spheres of Zambian life and therefore it can’t be fought by the UPND alone. …….”
Even PF supports have given up, yet they supported lungu and his corrupt gang…..
The fight against corruption can not be fought and won by leaving out the PF former officials , who never bothered even denying they were corrupt theives…….
In this case , the fight must begin at the top………
Lungu will be brought to book soon, he knows it, we know it, ………
It is but a matter if time before there is overwhelming evidence against him……..
#7 Ayatollah
December 9, 2021 At 4:21 pm
“Unfortunately, the UPND has misconceived the corruption fight as an instrument to finish off the PF hence the celebrated arrest of Malanji. Corruption has permeated almost all spheres of Zambian life and therefore it can’t be fought by the UPND alone. …….”
Even PF supporters have given up, yet they supported lungu and his corrupt gang…..
The fight against corruption can not be fought and won by leaving out the PF former officials , who never bothered even denying they were corrupt theives…….
In this case , the fight must begin at the top………
Lungu will be brought to book soon, he knows it, we know it, ………
It is but a matter if time before there is overwhelming evidence against him……..
Let the Police do their work please, we are in a new era were Police professionalism has been allowed to flourish. There is need for patience because corruption investigations are complex as the plunderers cover their tracks so well.
Pamene apa ma investigations yachite achieve ma results, kuli va so. Why don’t you tekanya kanshi
UPND is on course, very patient and methodical, you will see results. 10 years of damage needs care to repair
WITH THE EXTENT OF CORRUPTION PUT IN PLACE BY PF THIS WILL TAKE TIME
YEARS MAYBE ITS NO EASY TASK
UPND WERE TOLD LIFE STYLE AUDITS SHOULD START NOW
HALF BAKED STORY. Who is Action Aid?
Its a relevant question. Especially since South Africa has a xenophobic political party with a similar name led by Herman Mashaba
How can the fight against systematic corruption and theft yield results in 3 month?
#12 Spaka, you’ll see how corruption has permeated Zambia when the increased CDF is audited. Many MPs will end in prison before the 2030
Corruption cases always go nowhere.