According to the report of the survey which is jointly conducted by the Anti Corruption Commission and Transparency International Zambia, between 2014 and 2017, the likelihood of one paying a bribe to the Zambia Police traffic department increased form 50.1 percent in 2014 to 63.9 percent in 2017.

Speaking during the launch of the report in Lusaka,ACC Director General,Kapetwa Phiri says trends in the 2017 ZBPI report show that incidences of bribery have increased in some public institutions and reduced in others.

Mr Phiri says the report findings show an increase in the overall aggregate bribery index from 8.5 percent in 2014 to 10.0 percent in 2017.

He has expressed concern about the increase in the overall aggregate bribery index in the 2017 findings.

The ACC Director General says this calls for more concerted efforts among stakeholders to ensure that opportunities for bribery in both public and private institutions are CURTAILED.

Speaking at the same event, TIZ Chapter president Reuben Lifuka said corruption has become a beast running out of control thus the urgent need by all stakeholders to take action towards eradicating the scourge.

Officiating at the same launch, Secretary to the Cabinet, Roland Msiska says the release of the Zambia Bribe Payers Index report compliments government efforts and commitment to the fight against corruption.

In a speech read on his behalf by his deputy Patrick Kangwa, Dr Msiska says the increase in the overall aggregate bribery index from 8.8 percent in 2014 to 10 percent in 2017 is a clear indication that a lot still needs to be done to combat corruption and other related vices in public service institutions.

QFM