Sata urges Zambians to join graft fight

President Michael Sata has encouraged Zambians to get involved in the fight against corruption and not fold arms and watch greedy and selfish individuals siphon the much need resources for education, health, infrastructure and delivery of basic services.

In a speech read on his behalf by Justice Minister Wynter Kabimba, during the commemoration of International Anti Corruption Day in Lusaka today under the theme: “Zero Corruption, 100 percent development”, President Michael Sata says it is with great sadness that corruption has affected the extent of achievements of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

President Sata notes that the misappropriated resources would have contributed to poverty reduction, narrowing of gender gaps, improvement of health, education and other social services, access to safe drinking water and addressing the environmental sustainability.

He has called upon all Zambians to stand up for justice and the public good, to expose corrupt acts in communities and workplaces by reporting all forms of corruption to relevant authorities.

President Sata has since implored the media to partner with Zambians in advancing an anti-corruption drive for sustainable development of the nation.

Speaking at the same event, Anti Corruption Commission Chairperson, Justice Timothy Kabalata, says the commission will continue to discharge its mandate of spearheading the fight against corruption in a professional, impartial, and dedicated manner.

Justice Kabalata says the commission is hoping for stronger partnerships with key stakeholders not only during such events, but throughout the year in the quest to fight corruption.

Speaking earlier, African Parliamentarian Network against Corruption (APNAC) Chairperson Cornelius Mweetwa applauded Mr Kabimba for being a whistle blower in the fight against corruption by coming out in the open and declaring that there are some Cabinet Ministers who are corrupt.

Mr. Mweetwa has since urged Mr. Kabimba to go a step further by reporting the matter to the Anti Corruption Commission.

And Transparent International Zambia (TIZ) President, Lee Habasonda, has recommended that government works hard to ensure that it puts to end resource irregularities in government institutions and agencies as one way of fighting corruption in the country.

Mr. Habasonda has since welcomed President Michael Sata’s move to blacklist all plunders as this will go a long way in the fight against corruption.

And UNDP Country Representative and Officer in Charge, Viola Morgan, has congratulated the government for having made a steady progress in reducing corruption.

qfm