PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has appointed Lusaka lawyer Gilbert Phiri as Director General of the Anti-Corruption Commission, subject to ratification by the National Assembly.

According to a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson Anthony Bwalya, Wednesday, President Hichilema noted that Phiri was an experienced criminal defence lawyer who brought a wealth of experience and expertise to the Commission.

“President Hakainde Hichilema has with immediate effect appointed Mr. Gilbert Phiri, subject to ratification by the National Assembly, as Director General of the Anti-Corruption Commission. The appointment is in exercise of the power vested in the President pursuant to Section 9 (2) of the Anti-Corruption Commission Act No.3 of 2012. President Hichilema notes that Mr. Phiri is an experienced criminal defense lawyer, who brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the Anti-Corruption Commission; and has since urged him to diligently serve the Zambian people and impartially enforce the new administration’s zero tolerance agenda against corruption. The President congratulates Mr. Phiri on his appointment and wishes him God’s blessings in his new role,” read the statement.

And in a brief interview, Phiri thanked God for the appointment.

“I thank God and the President for this appointment which is subject to Parliament’s ratification. I will wait for our people’s representatives to consider the appointment and we shall pick it up after that,” said Phiri.