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By BARNABAS ZULU
JUSTICE Minister Princess Kasune Zulu, has urged Zambians to refrain from demonizing and making blanket assumptions about businessmen, asserting that not all property developers should be labelled as criminals.
Ms Kasune emphasised the importance of having solid evidence to justify any claims of corruption or illegal financial practices.
Speaking in a recent interview, Ms. Zulu said; “Let us not make it look like every businessman is a thief just because they are building houses. You can build a house, but you must have evidence to show how you did it.”
She stressed that transparency in business dealings was key, warning that it becomes problematic when individuals cannot explain the source of their wealth.
“It becomes problematic if you can’t explain the source of your money,” she added.
Ms. Zulu also took a firm stance against corruption, calling for the country to adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards criminal behaviour, regardless of political affiliations. “Zambians, let’s be serious,” she urged. “Let us not sympathise with people who are criminals. As long as their case is evidently based, then they are guilty. We should also be saying that Zambia is not a place for stealing.”
Ms Zulu also referenced China’s approach to fighting corruption, praising their strict measures. “How did China get to the place where it is now?” she asked.
“It’s because they ensure that every corrupt leader is held accountable, regardless of their political ties. That is the Zambia we must be crying for.”
Ms. Zulu also expressed concern over the tendency to defend convicted criminals in Zambia, urging the public to reject the normalisation of corruption.
“What you Zambians do is that the people who were stealing and have been convicted, you cry for them again. So, let’s not normalise stealing,” she said.
She urged Zambians to hold public figures accountable, including herself, should any accusations of corruption arise. “Even me, when you hear that Ba Kasune ba’ba (that Ms. Kasune has stolen), you should say, ‘We love you madam, but you have disappointed us,’” she said.
“Don’t cover up for each other. Let us normalise accountability. What is wrong is wrong.”
