TRANSPARENCY International Zambia (TIZ) says it hopes the arrest of KCM provisional liquidator Milingo Lungu signifies a good and elaborate process of investigations worthy of taking before the courts of law with highest chances for successful prosecution.

On Wednesday last week, the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) arrested Konkola Copper Mine provisional liquidator Milingo Lungu for theft of K110.4 Million and US$250,000.

Commenting on the development, TIZ president Sampa Kalungu said charges of money laundering and theft by those charged with safe guarding the mines made sad reading.

He urged DEC and other Law Enforcement Agencies to do what they could to bring the case to a logical conclusion.

“Transparency International Zambia has taken keen interest in the case involving Mr Milingo Lungu and Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC). This case of Mr Milingo Lungu is a high profile and of national interest case involving huge sums of national resources. This is a case we have shown interest in and commented upon from last year. The summoning and eventual arresting of Mr Lungu by DEC, we hope, signifies a good and elaborate process of investigations by the Commission worthy of taking before the courts of law with highest chances for successful prosecution,” Kalungu said.

“KCM has been at the heart of Zambia as it has been looked at providing jobs for Zambia, as well as bringing money (forex) in form of tax and sale of copper; however charges of obtaining money by laundering, theft, false pretenses, amounting to millions of kwacha and dollars, by those charged with safeguarding the mines gives a sad reading. And as Transparency International Zambia we strongly urge DEC and other Law Enforcement Agencies to do what they can to bring this case to the logical conclusion.”

Kalungu further called on the law enforcement agencies to protect whistleblowers so as to encourage more whistle blowing.

“As we urge the LEA to do their best, we are cognizant of Mr Lungu’s rights to defend himself and will take this opportunity to clear his name. Transparency International Zambia would also wish and encourage whistleblowers who are providing vital information to the LEA on corruption acts committed in the past and being committed at the moment, that they must continue playing this important patriotic role of safeguarding the resources of the nation. In the same vein we wish to urge the LEA to protect the whistle blowers so as to encourage more whistle blowing,” said Kalungu.