American Ambassador to Zambia Daniel Foote says he hopes to see real investigations and successful prosecutions of corrupt officials regardless of their level in government.

Reacting to President Edgar Lungu’s speech to parliament Friday where he talked about government’s commitment to fighting corruption, Foote said he expects that every corrupt cited official will be prosecuted regardless of the party he/she belongs to.

Ambassador Foote also added that automating the justice system would expand the delivery of justice FOR Zambia.

“The president talked firmly about his stance in combating corruption and that is good news. We hope to see real investigations and successful prosecutions of corrupt officials regardless of their level in government and regardless of their party,” Footed said.

And Foote said he was thrilled that his country’s donations to Zambia were transparent.

“And finally he mentioned millennium challenge and a strong impact as the number one bilateral assistance donor particularly in health and water, and the US is proud and thrilled to make our donations to Zambia’s well-being each year and will never have to defend our assistant to Zambia and we are fully transparent. And we hope other governments and the government of Zambia are equally transparent,” he said.

He further said the automation of the justice system would improve speedy delivery of justice.

“Zambia believes people are innocent until proven guilty and because of delays logistically in the justice, many people spend more time in pre-trial detention than they would if found guilty. So I think that for the Zambian citizenry is going to be critical, it’s continuing to augment the justice sector,” Ambassador Foote said.

And the Ambassador said the expansion of media satellite TV to rural areas should be accompanied by the passing of the access to information bill.

“I was glad to hear about the expansion of media and satellite TV into more rural areas and we hope that that is accompanied by the passage of the access to information act and a strong commitment of freedom of the press and media here in Zambia,” said Foote.