PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has dissolved the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) Board, thanking them for their service to the nation.

And President Hichilema has appointed Silumesi Muchula to act as ACC Director General following the resignation of the substantive Director General Zacharia Phiri, and upon the expiry of the contract of the Deputy Director General, Rose Khuzwayo.

According to a statement issued by Special Assistant to the President and Presidential Spokesperson Anthony Bwalya, Friday, the changes were aimed at ensuring efficient operations of the Commission while the consultative process on strengthening it as a key oversight institution was ongoing.

“President Hakainde Hichilema has with immediate effect appointed Mr Silumesi Muchula to act as Director General for the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) for administrative convenience pending the appointment of a substantive Director General. This follows the falling vacant of the office of Director General upon the resignation of the substantive Director General of the ACC, Mr Zacharia Kapetwa Phiri, and upon the expiry of the contract of the Deputy Director General, Mrs Rose Khuzwayo, who had previously served as acting Director General for a prolonged period. The President has invoked Section 12 of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act No.3 of 2012 to avoid a vacuum in the leadership of the ACC. Under the Anti-Corruption Commission Act No.3 of 2012, the President is mandated to appoint the Director General of the Anti-Corruption Commission, who once appointed is required by law to execute the mandate as head of the ACC independently and impartially,” read the statement.

“The President has since thanked Mr Zacharia Kapetwa Phiri and Mrs Rose Khuzwayo for their service and implored Mr Silumesi Muchula to serve diligently, without fear or favour, and in the interest of the Zambian people, even while doing so in an acting capacity. The President has also dissolved the ACC Board with immediate effect and thanked the board members for their service to the nation. The ACC Act also empowers the President to appoint and remove the board of the ACC, whereas the Board comprises independent non-executive directors who play no role in the day to day operations of the ACC. The changes are aimed at ensuring smooth and efficient operations of the ACC while the consultative process on strengthening it as a key oversight institution is ongoing.”

Earlier, the commission announced that the office of the Deputy Director General had fallen vacant following the expiry of the contract for Nkonde-Khuzwayo who was serving in that capacity.

According to an internal memo dated October 13 addressed to all staff and signed by ACC vice-chairperson Yvone Chibiya, Khuzwayo’s contract expired on October 4, 2021.

Chibiya stated that the recruitment process for the vacancy in the office of the Deputy Director General was underway.

“This memorandum serves to inform all staff that the office of the Deputy Director General has fallen vacant following the expiry of the Contract for Mrs Rosemary Nkonde-Khuzwayo on 4th October 2021. The Recruitment process for the vacancy in the office of the Deputy Director General is underway and the position shall be filled. Mrs Khuzwayo shall work with and facilitate handover and completion of urgent tasks to the Commission Secretary who shall, in the intervening period, deal with all matters relating to the office. You are all encouraged to provide support to ensure a smooth transition. The Board has thanked Mrs Khuzwayo for her selfless service to the Commission and wished her well in her future endeavours,” read the memo.