Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) notes and welcomes the Anti-Corruption Commission’s step to record a warn and caution statement from Minister of Health Dr. Chitalu Chilufya as part of ongoing investigations into his case. This is not a new case as we believe that the Commission has been on it since the beginning of the year. Hence, we believe that there is nothing particularly unique about this case as the ACC are merely discharging their functions as provided for by the law.
That notwithstanding, TI-Z wishes to commend the ACC for their continued investigation of this matter and it is our hope that the Commission will conduct this investigation with the highest degree of professionalism and independence. We also take this opportunity to commend media houses that have kept this matter alive in the public domain through their investigative journalism. We further would like to reiterate our call for Hon. Chitalu to step down in order to facilitate a smooth investigation into his case. We believe that the Minister stepping aside will be in conformity with standard practice where public servants that are being investigated have stepped aside to allow for investigations to be carried out independently and without any potential undue influence. Lastly, we would like to urge the Zambian citizenry to take keen interest in this matter, and to support the work of the ACC, not just in this case but also in relation to the Commission’s work in general. It is our hope that the ACC will not betray the trust that the citizenry has invested in the Commission’s capacity to do its work diligently and to the highest degree of professionalism and independence
Rueben L. Lifuka
Chapter President
