Expedite 48 houses case, ACC urged

THE Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and National Prosecutions Authority should expedite the prosecution of the case involving 48 (now 51) houses, Zambia Jubilee Coalition (ZJC) Secretary General Kwaela Mwanza has said. Mr Mwanza said the ACC and Director of Public Prosecutions should expedite the matter and ensure that it's brought to a logical conclusion. Mr Mwanza said the matter has dragged for too long and innocent people’s reputation damaged. He said it was important for ACC and DPP to prosecute it to avoid unnecessary speculations. "We call upon the Anti- Corruption Commission and the Director of Public Prosecution to urgently put this matter concerning the 48 now 51 houses to rest. This matter is painting a bad picture of our top government officials and generating unnecessary speculations among the general public," Mr Mwanza said. He wondered why the matter involving the mysterious houses has taken so long to be prosecuted when other cases especially those involving top Government officials are acted upon at lightning speed. "We have seen a lot corruption cases being rushed and arrests being made without hesitations. Our concern is that, what is so special about those that the ACC have found with the case to answer over these houses which are believed to have been acquired from proceeds of crimes?" he wondered. He said the continued delay to prosecute the suspected owners of 48 houses has led to continued rumour mongering and debate, hence the need to expedite it. "Every delay is generating too much rumour mongering in public debate, some accusing innocent people of being the owners of the houses," Mr Mwanza said. He said the matter had already delayed and more delays by DPP to clear ACC to prosecute the case are unjustifiable. "As long as the ACC has informed the general public on their findings, there is no need for the DPP to delay any longer because what is in public domain must be addressed publicly to avoid further speculations," Mr Mwanza said.