The Zambian Minister of Information and Media, Hon. Chushi Kasanda, has raised the alarm over the rise of illegal activities taking place with the aid of government and United Party for National Development (UPND) officials. Speaking in a press statement, the Minister expressed the government’s concern over the matter, stating that it is a total disregard of the rule of law.
“Government has observed with serious concern that some Government and UPND party officials are abetting corruption and other illegalities, which are a total disregard of the rule of law. We are extremely disappointed that vices, including illegal land acquisition and allocation; illegal harvesting and transportation of Mukula tree; and illegal mining and selling of minerals such as gold, lithium and sugilite, are taking place with the blessing of some Government and Party officials. This is totally unacceptable under the New Dawn administration, presided over by His Excellency the President Mr Hakainde Hichilema, and must be stopped immediately,” said the Minister.
The Minister went on to emphasize that the government is fully aware of the schemes being used to keep law enforcement agencies at bay and warned that perpetrators of illegal activities will face the full wrath of the law.
“Lawless individuals are misusing the name of the ruling Party and names of some senior Party and Government officials, as being the ones under whose instructions they are committing the illegalities. Government wishes to state, in no uncertain terms, that those UPND Party and Government functionaries who will be found wanting will not be protected in any way. Perpetrators of illegalities are on their own, and law enforcement officers who will fail to take action against them on account of their political affiliation will be treated as accomplices and will face corresponding consequences,” added the Minister.
The Minister further reiterated the President’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and equality before the law, stating that the UPND administration will never condone corruption or any other illegality, no matter who the perpetrators are.
“His Excellency President Hichilema is on record saying that the UPND administration will never condone corruption or any other illegality, no matter who the perpetrators are. Equality before the law shall continue to be the hallmark of the UPND administration under the leadership of President Hichilema,” said the Minister.
The recent arrest of Luapula Province Deputy Permanent Secretary, along with District Commissioners for Nchelenge and Mwansabombwe, for allegedly transporting suspected stolen sugilite, disguised as manganese, was seen as an example and a deterrent to those wanting to engage in illegal activities for whatever reason.
“The arrest should serve as an example and a deterrent to those wanting to engage in illegalities for whatever reason. The arrest should also send a clear message to those who have been made to believe that some suspected criminals are being arrested for belonging to a particular political party,” said the Minister.
The statement serves as a warning to all those involved in illegal activities and emphasizes the government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and bringing those involved in illegal activities to justice, regardless of their political affiliations. The nation is urged to be guided accordingly.
Even my phone can do a better job that this minister as all she does is read press statements doesnt answer any questions because she has not got a clue. Stop issuing warnings and just let the authorities do their work…ban any export of Mukula Trees.
Waikata kapenta but you come out to announce that you got fish.
Haha we told you. See now?
But this friend of mine is looking yummy. Ala I miss the old days. Sweetness gosh
We’ll only take you seriously if you arrest one who supplied poor quality and underweight fertilizer to Southern province in the 2021/22 season. Otherwise you’re just toothless bulldogs
This government cannot fight corruption when the oval head is busy stealing lithium and gold through the private jet.
I hope Zambians can see this corruption. There was corruption in PF but we saw a lot of projects but upnd government is just stealing without delivering.
The Zambia Police are busy harassing political opponents of the UPND to please the UPND cadres and leaders. They should go where real criminals are instead of wasting taxpayers’ money on low-hanging fruit like Nakachinda for trivial matters of social expression.