Learn from PF officials being convicted, Laura advises UPND

By MUBITA KATETE

TOP government and UPND officials should draw lessons from convictions of several Patriotic Front (PF) officials and leaders over an array of cases including being in possession of unexplained wealth and corruption, Laura Miti has advised.
Ms Miti, a governance activist has issued a strong advice to current government and ruling party officials, cautioning them to draw lessons from the recent conviction of former Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo, who has been found guilty of possessing unexplained wealth amounting to K22 million.
In a statement yesterday, Ms Miti has advised ministers, presidential advisers, permanent secretaries, and ruling party affiliates to reflect on Lusambo’s downfall as a cautionary tale after leaving office.
“Mr Lusambo had loads of warning. So many times, people asked how he had managed to go from dondo to velvet cake, without us seeing him pass through chitimbuwa, banzi, bread, scono and sponge cake.”
Lusambo has been convicted for holding assets that far exceeded his known sources of income. Despite repeated calls to explain the source of his wealth, he failed to provide credible evidence, leading to his latest legal troubles.
Ms Miti stressed that the issue is not about Mr Lusambo anymore, but about those in power who may be repeating the same mistakes.
“This post is not for Mr Lusambo He should be allowed to serve whatever sentence he is given, or appeal. It’s for UPND ministers, presidential advisers, permanent secretaries (who should not be listed as UPND but you know what I mean) and other ruling party connected.”
Ms Miti’s statement comes on the back of recent findings from the Auditor General and Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), which have revealed significant financial irregularities and possible abuse of public resources.
Without naming individuals, Ms Miti hinted that some current officials are already being whispered about in connection to questionable wealth accumulation.
“That money is not stealing itself. It is not just drowning from government coffers into nowhere. Someone is taking it,” she said.
She also shared some of the gossip reaching her ears, saying some officials were acting with reckless impunity.
“Let me just say that some of your names are being regularly mentioned in such dirty deals. Ati you are using power to make money for yourselves like there’s no tomorrow. If that’s true, what is your plan? How are you intending to avoid ending up where Mr Lusambo is sitting today?” Ms Miti said.