FORMER Minister of Finance Situmbeko Musokotwane says he will support the re-introduction of the Abuse of Office clause when it is tabled in Parliament.
The clause was removed by the MMD government in which he served. Dr Musokotwane, who is Liuwa member of Parliament, told Radio Phoenix yesterday that he supports the decision, if it is meant to enhance the fight against corruption.
“I have no problem with the re-introduction of the clause. Yes, I will support it if it will assist the country to fight against corruption. I have no problem with that,” he said.
And Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Emmanuel Chenda says the re-introduction of the Abuse of Office clause through the Anti-Corruption Bill will enhance the fight against corruption in the country.
Mr Chenda said the Patriotic Front (PF) Government will remain committed to fighting corruption because the vice deprives Zambians of better living standards.
“The PF government is allergic to corruption and as Cabinet ministers, we will ensure that we fight corruption which our colleagues, the MMD, entertained when they were in Government,” Mr Chenda said.
The minister was speaking in Ndola yesterday when he officiated at the farewell church service for Reverend Milton Mulenga at United Church of Zambia (UCZ) Mushili Bethel congregation.
Mr Chenda said the government is determined to improve living conditions through dedication to serving people, as opposed to plundering public resources.
He said the re-introduction of the Abuse of Office clause is an indication that the government is committed to fighting corruption in the country.
Mr Chenda, who is also PF Bwana Mkubwa member of Parliament, said corruption slows down development and worsens poverty.
And Mr Chenda has assured former employees of Ndola Copper Refinery that outstanding payments will be resolved by Government. Mr Chenda also commended Rev Mulenga for the job well done at UCZ Mushili Bethel congregation. The reverend helped to implement many projects for the church.
“Your contribution to this church was outstanding. The congregation here in Mushili will miss your services as you go to Kitwe,” Mr Chenda said.
And speaking earlier, Rev Mulenga appealed to Government to ensure that suspected corrupt leaders are investigated. Rev Mulenga said theft of public resources retards development, hence the need for culprits in the MMD government to face the law.
On Wednesday last week, Minister of Justice Sebastian Zulu presented the Anti-Corruption Bill to Parliament to repeal and replace the Anti-Corruption Act of 2010 and allow for the re-introduction of the Abuse of Office clause.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
There shouldn’t even be a clause. Abuse of office is a crime, period!
DID HE NOT SUPPORT THE REMOVAL? EVEN WHEN YOUR GOVERNMENT WAS REMOVING IT YOU KNEW IT WOULD ENHANCE CORRUPTION BUT WHY DIDN’T YOU VOTE IT OUT?
where is MULONGOTI???
i only hope mmd dies a natural death,look at its members ,intellectuals like musokotwane other than being quite in high profile donor meeting(as comfirmed by those wikileaks cables released)the chap jst goes wth the wind, no shame,look at masebo,sakwiba amongst so many political lumpens!today u vote against tomorow u vote in favour,same bill wth minor or no alterations,ninshi wat do u stand 4 morons.pack yo bags we are tired of your shame!
Fighting corruption is not a sufficient condition for development. How about other issues, ba PF? The only thing ba PF knows is fighting.
Am impressed by the former ministers stance here. As should be, guess what PF supporters shall still criticize shake my head.
This is good. It is possible to be a lone voice of contention in govt but collective responsibility means that one goes along with the majority. One does not resign every time one disagrees with colleagues whether in a party, cabinet, company or club. So, big up to Muso for this decision!
But why did he support removal of the same, so he new it was wrong but was just taking the people of Zambia for a ride? Do we have leaders in Zambia?
Why did the minister support the removal of the bill last time he was in office? He has seen it is good that his friends are in the office now. The bill should be brought back and arrest all those who abused the office.
Bo Musokotwane, you’re now flip flopping. You supported and even justified the removal of this clause so what has changed? Atleast King Cobby will now use this law to throw you into prison for your dodgy deals with Varun Beverages. Hope the same law will apply to Alexander Chikwanda’s company being single sourced to renovate State House!
They will nub u, u foo.l
The PF Govt must be assisted to dig a tapered-deep animal trap called “buzima”. This time around this buzima will have captured different species of animals under the generic names: PFministers & PF cadres. You need high-powered field of intellect to project/predict the outcome of this Clause.
Chioneni chisilu.
Where were you when this clause was removed? If it will enhance the fight against corruption why didn’t you join Shakafuswa who was booted out of MMD becuase he was against this?
Professionalism coming back to the man. Anything good that a government does should be supported. anyting mediocre should be pointed out. PF, will have to run for their money, and be on top of things. This is great for Zambia. I love the Zambia watch galu; and all these negative comments; I hope ba government are taking an objective look at themselves. These are the comments that can build a nation; negative as they may look. Use them positively. Good luck though.
WHERE IS THE LAW THAT QUESTIONS OTHER CITIZENS APART FROM PUBLIC SERVANTS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW PEOPLE LIKE WILLIE NSANDA, GBM, MASEBO, MULONGOTI, KABIMBA, GUY SCOTT, SATA, RUPIAH AND MANY OTHERS INCLUDING MY NEIGHBOUR GOT WEALTHY???????????????????????????????
when you find out, let me know!!
# 15 those pipo worked hard period. coming to musokotwane i kinda sense a position for him in govt.
Marubbish, ala, who can take ou seriously? sikuba, sitoto wena, siyanganu samutu,
Sometimes you have to give people enough rope so they can hung themselves….PF in and MMD out next it will be UPND in and PF out….that will be time to use the clause effectively…best wishes
why didn’t the chap interviewing this guy ask him why he supported it removal. but more importantly this is another form of political prostitution. this guy-musokotwane keeps changing positions to suite himself. the man ought to be ashamed of himself.
WELL PUT NUMBER 16. BUT DO YOU KNOW THAT THE ABUSE OF OFFICE CLAUSE REQUESTS THAT YOU SHOW HOW YOU GOT ALL THE WEALTH. IN OTHER WORDS YOU ARE GUILTY UNTIL YOU PROVE YOURSELF INNOCENT. THE CLAUSE IS PRONE TO ABUSE AND KNOWING HOW PETTY WE ZAMBIANS GET ALOT OF INNOCENT PIPO WILL FALL VICTIM. I FULLY SUPPORTED MMD ON THIS ONE CAUSE EVEN UNDER ACC WITH GOOD AND SERIOUS LAWYERS IN GOVT CORRUPTLY OBTAINED WEALTH CAN BE TRACED. MUSOKOTWANES TURN AROUND NOW IS FOR THE PF TO TEST THIS BITTER MEDICINE ON THEIR OWN. REMEMBER THEY WERE TOLD ABOUT WINDFALL TAX THEY TRASHED IT AND AS FOOLISH AS WE ARE WE VOTED FOR THEM NOW THEY DONT WANT TO EFFECT THE SAME