Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) is exceedingly pleased with the passing of a Motion in Parliament this morning to urge the Government of the Republic of Zambia to introduce legislation on lifestyle audit.
It is our considered view that the Motion, which was moved by Mwembeshi Member of Parliament Hon. Machila Jamba, is a progressive step towards enhancing the fight against corruption in Zambia, given that lifestyle audits are an accountability tool that can be used to detect and prevent
corruption.
Given the complexity and multidimensional nature of corruption, the need to use different approaches and mechanisms to fight the scourge cannot be overemphasized. We believe that enacting a lifestyle audit legislation will fit within that broad framework of the fight against corruption, and we urge all well-meaning Zambians to support this process.
TI-Z wishes to thank Hon. Jamba for presenting what we believe is a progressive Motion. We further wish to thank all MPs that debated in favour of the Motion, including the Minister of Justice Hon. Mulambo Haimbe, who reiterated government’s support to enhancing the fight against corruption through the improvement of existing laws as well as the enactment of others that will help this cause.
Going forward, we would like to urge government to make the process of drafting the Bill on Lifestyle Audit a highly consultative one that will take the views – both positive and negative – of all stakeholders. It is our hope that the process of developing the Lifestyle Audit Bill will not be an acrimonious one as has been the case with other Bills in the past.
We are confident that all stakeholders will be motivated by the wider good that will come from enacting of legislation on lifestyle audit, and that ultimately, we will have another avenue for addressing the corruption problem that continues to affect us as a country.
Maurice K. Nyambe
TI-Z Executive Director
