Oasis Forum Chairperson Linda Kasonde says the firing of Lucky Mulusa as well as the resigning of Harry Kalaba in government is a sign that corruption levels in the country have reached alarming levels.

In a statement, Kasonde observed that over the past year, Zambia had witnessed an increasing and unmitigated levels of corruption and abuse of public resources.

“Over the past year, Zambia has seen an increasing and unmitigated level of corruption and abuse of public resources. Two days ago, Zambia witnessed the resignation of a senior member of the cabinet, Harry Kalaba. For the first time in over twenty years on the basis of alleged corruption and mismanagement of public resources. This was preceded by the dismissal of another top minister of the government Lucky Mulusa who made similar allegations. For the Oasis Forum, this signals the fact that corruption and abuse of public resources in the country has reached new alarming and deplorable levels. It is literally stealing food from the mouths of our many needy and hungry children,” Kasonde stated.

“We question the prudence of the purchase of forty-two fire engines for US$42 million; we question the purchase of ambulances at exorbitant cost; we question the sale of land in a water catchment area that feeds Lusaka for residential purposes; we question the police brutality on unarmed Copperbelt University students rightfully demanding their meal allowances; and we question the sale of our precious mukula trees. We keep questioning and are left begging for legitimate answers.”

Kasonde condemned attacks on the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC).

“The Oasis call upon government to arrest the situation and to reflect on how it can best address the needs of the Zambian people by providing meaningful development in a prudent manner. We equally call upon all men and women of integrity in all leadership positions to say no to corruption. The Oasis Forum believes that it is only through having strong institutions that our leaders will be held accountable for the manner in which they are governing this country. The Forum applauds the work that the gallant men and women of strong institutions, such as the Financial Intelligence Centre FIC, are doing to defeat the scourge of corruption and crime in Zambia. We strongly condemn those that are attempting to interfere with their commendable work. There are very few Zambians that are willing to stand up to impunity where it arises. Such Zambians should be supported and protected at all costs by all well-meaning Zambians,” stated Kasonde.

“The Oasis Forum equally applauds the efforts of individual citizens who are calling attention to the ills of leadership and governance in the country, often at risks to their own personal safety. Civic activists such as musicians, Pilato and political commentator Sishuwa Sishuwa have even received death threats for their efforts. In the case of Sishuwa Sishuwa, he has received threats from both ruling and opposition party supporters. This is extremely lamentable as in a democratic country such as Zambia where the market place of ideas should be allowed to thrive. One should be able to agree or disagree with any view point without the threat of violence. It is only through the competition of ideas that the best ideas can win for the benefit of all Zambians whatever their political, social, economic or religious persuasions.”