Playing Politics
THE cacophony of negative political rhetoric being generated by both the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) are not serving the best interests of this country.
They are failing to deal with real issues, choosing instead to prance and magnify speculation, especially where it involves high profile political figures.
They want to play to the gallery to gain social media mileage. How have the two institutions failed to tell the nation the truth about the 48 houses, the purchase of fire engines and indeed purchase of the controversial ambulances? They have remained silent with the sole purpose of raising political speculation
How is it that in the middle of a gassing scare, intended to destabilise and instill terror in the country the ACC finds it opportune to “reveal” that they are investigating the Minister of Health Dr Chitalu Chilufya for corruption?
Interestingly, the revelation is couched as a response to a media query. This is nonsense. We have made many queries to the ACC which have not been responded to.
Dr. Chilufya is a high-profile minister who was the campaign manager in Chilubi. He is one of the most active ministers in Cabinet. What message is the ACC sending, considering that the so-called investigation has been gracing opposition social media pages for the last two years?
Indeed, what benefit is there for DEC to impound a car because of a public outcry? Why have both institutions failed to open the Saturnia forensic report?
Why should it be secret when Government reports are public, why indeed were the officers investigating this matter transferred from the investigation?
Of what value to the nation was the DEC raid rounding up 50 cannabis dealers, when people who have externalised billions of Kwacha illegally are walking freely?
No wonder the ACC and indeed DEC have been accused of playing politics and being theatrical by seeking attention through misguided pursuit of high-profile political cases, but fails to investigate and prosecute documented cases of billions of Kwacha externalised through such schemes as pension scams.
Former BP Zambia Plc retirees have been fighting to get their pensions for the last 27 years. Similarly, retirees from various pension schemes have complained that both the ACC and DEC have failed to resolve pension scams.
Mr Chipalo said ACC should have acted because there was adequate proof that pension funds had been stolen or laundered out of the scheme. Court records are there for all to verify.
Mr Chipalo questions the timing of the minister being questioned.
He said the story of the flats had been in the news for a very long time but wondered why the minister had been summoned at this sensitive time when there was tension in the country.
The ACC Mission Statement which reads: “To effectively and impartially prevent and combat corruption in order to promote integrity, transparency and accountability for the attainment of a corruption-free Zambia,” rings totally hollow.