I won’t interfere in ACC operations – Lungu

President Edgar Lungu has reiterated that he will not protect anyone found wanting by the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC).
President Lungu says he will not interfere in the operations of the Anti Corruption Commission in their quest to curb corruption in the country.
Speaking during the commemoration of International Anti-corruption Day in Lusaka today, President Lungu says he will be remembered when he leaves office for walking the talk on fighting corruption and not shielding anyone found wanting by law enforcement agencies.
He has also warned public officials and contractors in a habit of channeling public resources for their personal gain that the law will visit them.
President Lungu says his government remains committed to ensuring that the ACC is strengthened in order to achieve the goal of zero tolerance to corruption.
President Lungu has since urged the ACC to remain vigilant and not to be used by certain individuals to settle their personal scores.
Speaking at the same event, Anti Corruption Commission Chairperson Justice Timothy Kabalata pledged that the commission will continue devising mechanisms aimed at breaking the corruption chain in the country.
Justice Kabalata says this is because of the devastating effects of corruption on the country’s economic growth, stating that if left unchecked, corruption can do the nation more harm.
And Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) President Lee Habasonda has called on political parties to avoid corruption during 2016 election campaigns to avoid losing public funds in court cases.
Mr. Habasonda has also challenged political parties to tell the nation where they get their funding during campaigns as a matter of transparency and to avoid putting the nation on fire.
Speaking earlier, African Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption (APNAC) Zambia Chapter Chairperson Cornelius Mweetwa called on President Lungu to see to it that the Access to Information Bill is speedily enacted in a bid to promote transparency and accountability in the running of public institutions in the country.
This year’s International Anti-corruption Day is being commemorated under the theme “Break the Corruption Chain”.