THE Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has collected about K1.2 million in rentals from the infamous 51 houses that were seized and forfeited to the State.
ACC spokesperson Queen Chibwe says the K1,277,308 rentals have been collected from July 2019 to-date. Ms. Chibwe says the 51 houses, which are being managed by the ACC, still remain properties of the State and all the monies realized from the rentals are being deposited into State accounts.
She explains that this is notwithstanding that there is a civil case in which some named individuals have contested the seizure and forfeiture of the said properties to the State. Ms. Chibwe said that the said individuals are the plaintiffs that earlier withdrew the case but have now taken it back to court. She noted that on the criminal aspect on which investigations were instituted, the commission has already concluded the matter and that it was referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
She said the ACC greatly appreciates the stance taken by President-elect Hakainde Hichilema to give institutions of governance a leeway to operate independently. She said the ACC is very hopeful that the fight against corruption in Zambia will be given the support that it needs with the goodwill shown by Mr. Hichilema. Ms. Chibwe stated that this will in turn contribute to effective implementation of programmes and policies designed to fight corruption in the Country. -ZNBC.
