Chiteme slams ACC over 48 houses case
IT should not get to the level of the President directing our law enforcement officers to prosecute the case involving 48 housing units in Lusaka’s Chalala over conclusively because they should be competent enough, National Development and Planning Minister Alexander Chiteme has said.
Mr. Chiteme said it was disappointing that the AntiCorruption Commission (ACC) prematurely discontinued investigations to establish ownership of the 48 housing units recently forfeited to the state until a presidential directive was given.
And Mr. Chiteme said
President Lungu should be applauded by all for taking it upon himself to issue the directive for further investigations into the scandal after the ACC closed the case.
“What my president has done is a noble cause but it shouldn’t get to the level of the President to direct our law enforcement officers. They should be competent enough to make sure that they prosecute a matter to its logical conclusion,” Mr. Chiteme said
He said the ACC prematurely concluded investigations into the 48 houses before establishing the rightful owner and that it was unfortunate it had to get to the level of the president for investigations to continue.
Meanwhile, Mr. Chiteme said President Lungu’s directive for law enforcers to investigate the matter is a clear indication of his commitment to transparency and upholding of the law.
The ACC recently, stated that it closed the case against a Ministry of Finance official who allegedly owned 48 housing units which were forfeited to the state on grounds that the matter lacked evidence linking him to the properties.