Extend corruption fight to policy implementers – CCZ
BY Jackson Mapapayi
The Council of Churches in Zambia ( CCZ) has said the fight against corruption should not only be targeted at political figures but also on policy implementers.
The organisation states that this is because the vice is a chain which does not involve a single individual.
CCZ president Rev Sairos Phaika said in an interview in Solwezi that government should be able to identify individuals involved in any corruption allegation if it is to succeed in the graft crusade.
Rev Phaika stated that targeting political figures will not help in the fight against the vice as other key individuals could be left out in the chain.
“The new dawn government should identify the catalysts to the very corruption they are talking about because it is not one person we are talking about here. So, the earlier they identify those involved in each case, the better.
“Otherwise, it may be the same song that we have been hearing in previous governments, “said Rev Phaika.
He said what the Zambian people are looking forward to is the practicality of the crusade and not mere talk.
He stated that as long as the roots are not uprooted, the crusade against corruption is a theoretical battle.
And Rev Phaika has mentioned that it will be very difficult for institutions like the Financial Intelligent Center (FIC), the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) to operate independently now that they have been shifted to State House.
He said there is a likelihood of political interference in the manner in which the aforementioned institutions will be operating going forward.
“So, in terms of space, it will be very difficult for these institutions to operate because the autonomy is like removed from them. So, whoever advised the head of state of on this issue was very wrong,” he said.
