Once upon a time in the land of Zambia, a champion of democracy and good governance emerged defeating President Lungu who has been in the spotlight lately. His name was President Hakainde Hichilema, and he vowed to fight against corruption wherever it reared its ugly head. Hasn’t he done wonders already exposing the ECL Family riches.
But as the people began to wonder about President Hichilema’s worth and assets, they discovered a peculiar silence. It seemed that he was avoiding the very thing he championed – declaring his assets. The whispers started, and the people couldn’t help but wonder why.
Could it be that President Hichilema, in his intelligence, was avoiding the revealing of his assets? After all, his private residence, Community House, had suddenly become his official residence. Rumors circulated that state funds were used to make it suitable and habitable for a sitting President.
The citizens raised their eyebrows in suspicion. Was the President shunning accountability questions by withholding his assets? They knew that once the declarations were made public, the murmurs would turn into a deafening roar. The citizens couldn’t help but wonder if their hard-earned money was being used to increase the value of his private residence.
You see, the requirement for leaders to declare their assets and liabilities is not just a bureaucratic exercise. It serves a higher purpose – promoting transparency and accountability in governance. But here, it seemed, was a President who danced around the very principles he claimed to uphold.
First and foremost, asset declarations are meant to prevent corruption. By laying bare their financial standing before assuming office, leaders are discouraged from seeking illicit enrichment or using public resources for personal gain. It’s a way to keep them in check, to ensure they are held accountable for their financial decisions and actions.
But what about conflicts of interest? Asset declaration helps identify any potential conflicts between a leader’s wealth and their official duties. It’s a handy tool to see if decisions are influenced by personal financial interests, making sure that favoritism and biased decision-making are kept at bay.
Beyond that, asset declarations help build trust with the public. When leaders disclose their assets, it demonstrates a commitment to transparency and integrity. It shows that they are willing to be held accountable for their financial actions, instilling confidence among the citizenry.
Regular declarations also allow the verification of wealth accumulation. By comparing successive disclosures, any suspicious or unexplained wealth can be flagged. This helps in the fight against illicit enrichment and corruption, making sure that no one gets away with ill-gotten gains.
Lastly, asset declaration strengthens democracy. It empowers citizens to assess leaders’ compliance with the law, their ethical standards, and their ability to manage public funds responsibly. In knowing their leaders’ financial information, voters can make informed choices during elections, ensuring that only those fit for the job are entrusted with power.
So, dear citizens of Zambia, the tale of President Hakainde Hichilema and his elusive assets continues. Will he step forward and embrace the transparency he so passionately advocates for? Only time will tell. But one thing is for certain – the fight for accountability and good governance goes on, regardless of who tries to dodge it.
APPEARS SUCCESS IS THIS COUNTRY IS A CRIME
This makes Hakainde’s fight against corruption laughable for he himself doesn’t want to be held accountable using the same rules. I usually laugh when I hear that today’s fight against corruption under the ND govt is the most vigorous this country has ever witnessed.
We have the most selfish leader in Community House aka State House who wants to put everyone to the sword by persecuting them for making money for their posterity. Bally wants to be the only one to compete with Aliko Dangote in becoming rich. When will Zambia ever create its own millionaires?
NIPANO TULI
You know it is not true, I believe there was some taking advantage of information by the people involved in privatisation and they were many, so how do we put the most blame on the person who did not have the final say? For once why have all these governments failed to put something on him apart from innuendos up to now. Let us not forget some directly are alleged to have stolen, they had the key to the purse.
Why dont we mention others wealth ?
Look around the country and the houses Lodges and businesses premises going up
Funds from where CRONYISM !! ??
LIFE STYLE AUDITS NEEDED
BY OUTSIDE AUDITORS WHO WILL BE PAID FROM THE FUNDS THEY RECOVER
I have been wondering to how little is the money the ACC has raised during asset ceasing only k400,000,000 has been recovered from the so called plunderers of government resources.
If you choose to compare the said amount of money recovered from the 130 plunderers this amount of money is just a joke , because some members of parliament even before they entered office eg. the honourable speaker declared that she had k400,000,000 in her assets that is her property before she was appointed as speaker.
My question is are we Zambians being deceived by this government , or money is being recovered then shared by the powers that be , then show us wrong reciepts that don’t much up with the loot.
We have no issues with heterosexual people, so why do they have an issue with us LGBTs? We won’t stop until LGBT rights are recognised in zambia. We will fight even if it comes at the cost of our lives.
We will be holding our underground monthly lgbt meeting in kitwe in two weeks from now. Details will be shared.
We gave hh our votes but he doesn’t want to give us our lgbt rights. Betrayed
STOP BEING LAZY ASK ECZ FOR THE PRESIDENT’S ASSET DECLARATION ITS THERE, WHY WASTE OUR TIME WITH NON-ENTITIES. YOU ARE BREWING A STORM IN A TEA CUP.
Learn to call a spade a spade. What you have is blind royalty. Let the President come out clean and declare his assets.
There’s precedent set from the time of Edgar Lungu’s second term. Declarations are made to the Electoral Commission of Zambia. Mwelwa has the right to speak but not necessarily the right to be taken seriously.
Infact it was ECL who changed the law so he can hide his wealth. Its not about HH it’s about the law that ECL changed.
Even if he declares today it is futile with almost two years in office
Its not about his assets at all… Its all there to see
Its the losers not accepting defeat and trying by any means to discredit
For those who are too lazy to get the declared assets of the president from ECZ where they are decleared ……..
You are just seeking headline news. You having nothing mire to contribute………
However………….
Declared asset information at ECZ – current assets = stolen assets.
Find something else to make noise about
Current assets – Declared asset information at ECZ = stolen assets.
Plan is:
You have too much wealth
I was already wealthy before I took office.
So how do you investigate him when you have nothing to subtract from?
Subtract the declared assets at ECZ………….
How hard is that ??
Deja Fooool.who is this Doctor who starts with ‘Once upon a time in the land of Zambia”
#MuZambia. Your white man has already warmed the bed, just rush home he’s becoming impatient
What does the law say regarding wealth declaration?
Does it require The President to declare via Media or is there a legal entity that keeps the records?
Does that legal entity say there is no declaration made by HH?
How often is the president required to declare?
Shouldn’t you be pushing for proper asset declaration laws to be enacted other than FALSELY accusing HH of NOT having declared his wealth?
HH’s wealth is ill-gotten….no wonder he can’t declare his assets…we have a big Bandit as a President…in the USA its very simple to know how much assets you own because of accountability…just a click on a button
Stop lying…
TRUMP never declared his TAX Income……..
Why doesn’t this accuser tell us what law or statute HH is in transgression off.
I am hearing all these accusations, but no one could identify which law HH is breaking.
@general Kanene and @Spaka hits the nail on the head.
Once and for all HH has not broken the law so please shut up and stop seeking cheap headlines.
This author deliberately omits to mention that it was actually the PF under Lungu that made it unnecesary by law to publicly declare assets for presidential candidates . The question he should be asking is why did Lungu wand to hide his wealth accumulation between 2016 and 2021? Lungu moved from assets of K2.5 million in 2015 to K23 million in 2016. So within 1 year he had accumulated over K20 million in assets and Zambians questioned him on how he managed. So to avoid further scrutiny in 2021, he made sure he hid it from the public. Those that are still interested in ECL’s and HH’s wealth should go to ECZ as it is part of filing in their nominations an a requirement by law
It may not be about laws here. He needs to declare on moral grounds. You don’t need laws for morals !!!!.
First ask Lungu to declare his, so that we know how much had accumulated from K23 million in 2016 to 2021. Like you said, on moral grounds. Because if he can make K20 million in one year, imagine how much he had made in five years..
Lawrence it’s been a long time, are you still in FDD and at the Go Center? Zambian business moguls can’t be profiled because they have shady business backgrounds. For some even the shoes they wear were once government property. That’s how Chibamba Kanyama’s book failed because there was nothing to write.
@ General Kanene
Thank You Trump is a Politician and they’re all crooks..Biden is a crook also and very corrupt just like Trump…the US Congress is made of all old women and men doing nothing but fighting each other and pushing their own corrupt agendas both Republicans and Democrats…all useless..they start wars so that they can can steal and loot
Can ECZ help us to publish what needs to be made public. According to this and Alexander Vomo’s article the other day, the public wants to know what the President owns. The public don’t want to become shocked at the end of his term to find out that he actually owns all the mines in Zambia.
JUDGING BY MOST COMMENTS ON HERE PRESUMABLY BY LITERATE BLOGGERS
THIS COUNTRY IS GOING NOWHERE ANYTIME SOON
Its not HH’s fault that ECL and the PF changed the law to prevent the ECZ publishing the asset declarations made before the presidential elections.
HH had his assets and liabilities published to the public 6 times….At the 7th time, the law had been changed by the PF.
The problem with many Zambians is that they like talking than taking action. A country is governed by Laws and what the author needs is to sponsor a private member’s motion in parliament proposing to amend the existing law so Heads of State can declare their assets and have them published in the media.
The same yard stick you use is the same which will be used to you period.