ACTIONAID Zambia country director Nalucha Ziba says ACC should restore the corruption fight’s credibility, arguing that announcing huge numbers of seizures only to charge suspects with a few properties negatively affects the cause.

Commenting on the seizure of 400 houses by ACC across the country believed to be proceeds of crime, Ziba commended ACC’s efforts to recover assets, but expressed concern over the manner in which investigations were being carried out.

“ActionAid Zambia wishes to commend the efforts being made by ACC to recover assets that are suspected to be proceeds of crime. This signifies progress in deterring those who are in a habit of diverting or misappropriating public funds for private gain. However, we note with concern that when it comes to charging suspects, the number of seized properties changes hence AAZ is of the considered view that ACC should only announce the seizure or properties once they have concluded their investigations and have good cogent evidence. The idea of announcing huge numbers of seizures only to then charge suspects with a few properties, negatively affects the fight against corruption,” she said.

Ziba called on the commission to ensure that the cases were brought to a logical conclusion as soon as possible.

“It is important that ACC restores credibility to the fight against corruption and what we need is a professional work and not this sensationalism that seems to be the modus operandi of the ACC and the joint investigations team. There is need for ACC and joint investigation team to employ strategic communication to the fight against corruption as well as develop a clear Anti-Corruption strategy. ActionAid Zambia further calls on the ACC to ensure that these cases are brought to a logical conclusion as soon as possible and the perpetrators are brought to book. Further, we urge the government to take the issue of lifestyle audit seriously as part of the strategies to enhance transparency and accountability,” she said.

And Ziba said there was need for government to critically address the shortage of medication in the country.

“Action Aid Zambia is of the view that government needs as a matter of urgency to critically address the shortage of medication currently being experienced in Zambia. It is a fact that shortage of medicines triggers patient care and safety issues and the country has been facing challenges with regards to shortages of medicine for quite some time. As a result, most citizens are usually issued with prescriptions as opposed to being given medication from the institutions’ pharmacies. This is despite government rolling out a universal coverage package which compels all workers to contribute towards,” she said.

“Action Aid recognises the challenges being faced by the Ministry of Health which border on procurements among others due to the perceived cartels that have captured the procurement industry in Zambia to an extent of endangering lives through the supply of substandard medicines such as expired drugs. We call on the government as a matter of urgency to put in place a comprehensive plan of providing medicines to all facilities and ensure that the process of strengthening the procurement systems is expedited as the continuation of these challenges has the potential to collapse the entire health system which is already limping.”

She further called on government to implement the Public Finance Management Act of 2018 and the revised Procurement Act of 2020 to strengthen the procurement processes.

“As a rights-based organisation, we call on the government to ensure that they view access to medication as a right, as we all know that the continued lack of access to medication is likely to increase the mortality rates in the country. This further exacerbates the care work that largely places a burden on women and children who are the most vulnerable and need these services the most. AAZ calls on the government to seriously implement the Public Finance Management Act of 2018 and the revised Procurement Act of 2020 to strengthen the procurement processes in Zambia,” said Ziba.