HH, ECL urged to declare their assets

CITIZENS should demand to know assets and liabilities of former President Edgar Lungu and current President Hakainde Hichilema as required by law, GEARS Executive Director McDonald Chipenzi has said.

Mr Chipenzi said Article 263 of the republican constitution demands that a person holding a public office shall, before assuming office or leaving office, make a declaration of their assets and liabilities.

This also applies to current and former vice-president, current and former Speaker of the National Assembly and current and former Deputy Speakers.

Others are current and former Members of Parliament, current and former cabinet Ministers and Provincial Ministers, the current and former members of Commissions.

“After nominations, citizens demanded that presidential candidates’ assets and liabilities be made public by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), but this demand was resisted by the ECZ,” he said.

Mr Chipenzi said declaration of assets and liabilities by public officers was mandatory and urged the affected individuals to do so.

He said the constitution of Zambia under Article 82 (2) (e) also demands that a person to qualify to be elected Speaker of the National Assembly must declare his/her assets and liabilities.

He said the article also applies to a person to qualify to be nominated as a candidate for election as President

(Art. 100(1)(h), member of Parliament (Art. 70(1)(e) and only the office of a councillor is not demanded to declare these assets and liabilities.

Mr Chipenzi said Article 263 that demands for declaration of assets and liabilities for outgoing and incoming public officers.

“With the New Dawn government’s emphasis on transparent, accountable and servant leadership, rule of law and constitutionalism, public declaration of public officers’ assets and liabilities will be a demonstration of commitment towards accountable, transparent and servant leadership, Zambians have yearned for years,” he said.