TRANSPARENCY International Zambia (TIZ) says it is concerned about the delay to appoint a substantial Director General at the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

In an interview, TIZ president Sampa Kalungu said the acting capacity status might impact negatively on the operations of a now extremely busy and demanding law enforcement agency.

“We are really concerned about the prolonged status quo of the Head of ACC being in the acting position for this long time. While acting helps the appointing authorities to determine the professional responsibility, competence and capability of the one acting, we think the acting capacity status has become now too long, and may impact negatively on the operations of a now extremely busy and demanding law enforcement agency. ACC has taken up and is taking up more and more complex corruption cases and requires full establishment with full authority, power and will to operate efficiently and effectively. We are concerned that acting roles often come with limited, restricted or capped authority,” Kalungu said.

He said the acting period should not exceed a period of six months.

“Being in an acting position or role may hinder one from fully functioning to the best of their capability and in some cases one acting can easily be manipulated and intimidated by the appointing authority as such authority may dangle the confirmation of appointment as a carrot. ACC is such an important institution in the fight against corruption especially at this time. Acting periods should, if at all possible, not exceed a period of six months. Decisiveness must come into play by the appointing authority either to confirm the one acting or make a fresh substantive appointment. We therefore urge the authorities responsible to make this decision to consider it urgently,” said Kalungu.