Speaking during ZNBC’s Sunday Interview programme, Mweetwa said President Hakainde Hichilema has consistently warned cabinet ministers and public officials against engaging in corruption or misusing public resources.
Mweetwa stated that the Head of State has demonstrated political will in the anti-corruption fight by allowing investigative institutions to operate independently without interference from State House or Cabinet.
“While government cannot claim that corruption does not exist, investigative institutions are free to pursue anyone suspected of wrongdoing, including those serving in government,” Mweetwa said.
He further encouraged members of the public with information on corrupt activities to make use of whistleblower protection laws and report suspected cases to investigative agencies.
Responding to concerns that anti-corruption efforts were mainly targeting opposition leaders and former government officials, Mweetwa argued that many individuals currently appearing before the courts previously held positions of authority and were responsible for public decision-making.
Mweetwa also linked Zambia’s recent decline on the Corruption Perceptions Index to findings contained in the forensic audit at the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) and concerns surrounding the use of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) resources.
He noted that the country had previously recorded improvements on the index, making the latest decline a matter of concern for government.
According to Mweetwa, weaknesses in the awarding of some CDF contracts also contributed to negative perceptions reflected in the rankings.
Despite the setback, Mweetwa said government has implemented several institutional and legal reforms aimed at strengthening the anti-corruption framework.
Among the reforms, he cited the establishment of the Financial Crimes Court as a major step toward speeding up corruption-related cases and improving the delivery of justice.
