Never at anytime in recent history have we seen resignations of public officials linked to corrupt practices as we have under President Hakainde Hichilema.
Something good in the air is definitely happening.
Whether these so called ‘resignations’ are indeed resignations or perhaps dismissals couched as voluntary departures from official positions by those affected, Zambia is clearly on a good path in its fight against corruption.
Hate or love President Hichilema, if you indulge in corruption, as he often says about those who transgress against the law, “you are on your own!”
It is not so long ago that a former president of this country, made a weird statement at the airport that whoever had evidence of corruption, should not just allege “mfwiti mfwiti” without evidence.
It is, indeed, not too long ago that anti-graft agencies such as the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the Drug Enforcement Commission, the Zambia Police or even the courts of law were used to launder suspected criminals in the former regime.
Do we remember the cases of one Ronald Chitotela or Dr. Chitalu Chilufya and the deals they struck to be let free?
Now, there is a new sheriff in town – where suspects of wrongdoing are jumping before they are pushed: just ask Stanley Kakubo and Thom Shamakamba or board members of the ACC who have just been dissolved for suspected graft at the institution.
President Hichilema is not playing – even the Solicitor General Marshal Muchende is under investigation for alleged corruption!
By the way, the dissolution of the ACC board comes after its former commissioner Dr. O’Brien Kaaba, wrote a lengthy statement urging the President to dissolve the body’s management because it was in no position to fight corruption.
So fiery is the fight against corruption that on the same day that the ACC has been dissolved, the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency announced the immediate suspension of its Director General Victor Nyasulu after 61 containers of assorted medicines and medical supplies were found at a private depot in Lusaka’ Makeni area.
This is how the fight against graft should look. There should be no sacred cows.
Corruption has eroded Zambia’s fibre for too long and it ought to be fought vigorously from the top.
Well done President Hichilema – even the sceptics can start believing again.