Statement by Mrs. Priscilla Chikonde Chansa, Ti-Z Chapter President, at The Press Briefing on the Zambia Civil Society Parallel Report on Implementation of the UN Convention Against Corruption, on Friday 8th December 2023

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to Transparency International Zambia.

We have convened this press briefing today in order to delve into the details of the new Civil Society Parallel Report on Zambia’s implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). The report offers a comprehensive analysis of Zambia’s progress, challenges, and opportunities in the fight against corruption, from a civil society point of view. The report, authored by ourselves as TI-Z, with the support of the UNCAC Civil Society Coalition, is effectively an independent evaluation of the Zambian Government’s performance in the implementation of anti-corruption measures under the UNCAC, to which Zambia is a State Party.

Parallel reporting is a widely accepted strategy that enables civil society to take an active role in holding governments accountable to their legally mandated obligations. In fervent anticipation, we hope that the insights and recommendations presented in this report serve as a catalyst for meaningful policy change, and contribute to the fortification of our governance architecture, ultimately paving the way for a more transparent and accountable Zambia.

As we navigate the multifaceted layers of this report, it is evident that Zambia has indeed made commendable strides in enhancing anti-corruption legislation and its implementation, particularly in the aftermath of the change of government that occurred 2 years ago. The establishment of a specialized court for economic and financial crimes in 2022 is one example of steps being taken to actualise professed commitments to tackle corruption head on. While the operational efficiency of this court is another subject worth looking into, there is no doubt that establishing the court is in itself a positive development that showcases the nation’s resolve to create specialized mechanisms capable of addressing the intricacies of financial crime. Moreover, our analysis of performance under Chapter Five (V) of the UNCAC reveals encouraging progress in anti-money laundering efforts. Leveraging bilateral agreements and global law enforcement agencies such as INTERPOL for asset recovery, Zambia has demonstrated a commitment to combating financial crimes, and this warrants commendation.

However, more needs to be done if we want to effectively fight corruption and facilitate the recovery of ill-gotten assets. I’d like to bring to your attention some of the gaps and concerns unbundled by this report, specifically outlined in our analysis of Zambia’s performance under Chapters Two (II), on preventive measures and Chapter Five (V) on asset recovery of the UNCAC, prominently featuring the absence of legislation and policy guidance tailored specifically to anti-corruption measures.

First, there has been a significant delay in the finalization of the new National Anti- Corruption Policy, resulting in a lack of policy guidance during the period 2016 to 2023. Further, the limited dissemination and utilization of integrity tools and delayed evaluation of the performance of Integrity Committees, coupled with limited funding of Integrity  Committees  in  carrying  out  preventive  measures,  have  proven  to  be deficiencies regarding the existing preventive anti-corruption policies and practices in Zambia.

Secondly, Zambia urgently needs an Access to Information law. Despite the existence of draft legislation dating back to 2002, the absence of a legal framework leaves the public at a disadvantage, unable to access critical information that could contribute to an informed and vigilant citizenry. While we commend this administration for finally taking the ATI Bill to the National Assembly, we shall continue our advocacy on this until the Bill is enacted into law. The importance of such a law being put in place cannot be overemphasised. As an example, attempts to demand for information on the assets and liabilities declared by His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema ahead of the 2021 general elections have proved futile, as his office has been referring the matter back to the Electoral Commission of Zambia. Requests by different stakeholders, including TI-Z, for this information to be made public have largely been ignored by the ECZ, whose submission in a court matter over the same has been that, “there was no Constitutional provision that compelled it to publish the declared assets and liabilities of presidential candidates.” Ladies and gentlemen, this information has remained hidden from public scrutiny, and makes a mockery of the accountability and transparency agenda as professed by the current administration.

Thirdly, the report sheds light on challenges within whistle-blower protection laws, exposing areas that require immediate attention and refinement. Zambia has a substantive law, the Public Interest Disclosure (Protection of Whistle-blower) Act No.4 of 2010, on corruption reporting and the protection of whistle-blowers. However, the law contains some unfavourable provisions such as the possible prosecution of whistle-blowers for reports deemed malicious or frivolous. In the absence of sufficient protection, highly placed whistle-blowers such as public officials in government have turned to Civil Society Organizations and the media to report cases of corruption.

As part of this report, TI-Z presents a comprehensive set of recommendations, which underscore the urgency of approving the new National Anti-Corruption Policy, granting financial autonomy to the Anti-Corruption Commission, amending existing legislation, and enacting subsidiary laws on political party financing. We also call upon government to be alive to the dangers of illicit financing of political parties and to safeguard whistle-blowers, as a poignant reminder that the fight against corruption is not solely the responsibility of institutions but requires the active participation and vigilance of every citizen.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Zambia Civil Society Parallel report does not just allow us to reflect on our implementation of the UNCAC, but also provides us with a roadmap to fortify Zambia’s legislative infrastructure, enhance transparency, and cement our collective resolve in the fight against corruption.

We are therefore confident that the report will serve as a call to action for the government, civil society, our international partners, and all citizens to collaborate and demonstrate unwavering commitment to implementing the recommendations it outlines. In particular, it is our fervent hope that the Zambian government will use the findings of the CSO Parallel report as a critical input into the production of its own official report on Zambia’s implementation of the Convention. As TI-Z, we remain committed to our continued collaboration with government and other stakeholders in the anti-corruption fight, and we look forward to more effective engagement premised on the findings and recommendations made in this report.

Last but by no means least, we urge you members of the press to also take interest in and give your detailed analysis of this report as a basis for your engagement with different stakeholders on the issues raised in the report. Your role in the fight against corruption is a critical one and we are hopeful that you will find this report useful for raising awareness about the anti-corruption agenda in Zambia.

I thank you all for your attention, and may the almighty God bless us all.