SAUNDERS WANTS CORRUPTORS ARRESTED

By Kalobwe Bwalya

THE Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) should desist from only arresting those at the receiving end or beneficiaries of corruption but also extend the same to those who corrupt them, Dante Saunders has demanded.

Speaking to The Scoop, Mr. Saunders said those who were in the habit of corrupting those who were in the position to facilitate transactions or any help, should also be arrested and tried once it is established that an act of corruption had taken place other than just arresting those who were corrupted.

He said corruption was not a one-way-traffic but involved two parties and that the ACC should not only be concentrating on those who receive corruption money but those who dish out money to bribe their way.

He said continually arresting the corrupted and leaving out the corrupters will not deter those who might want to continue in such illicit activities, adding that Zambia could not afford to continue with the same cases of corruption that were reported.

He alleged that the same people who had plundered resources wanted to appear innocent and seeking sympathy and wanting to make Zambians to believe in their lies.

And Mr. Saunders has called for the enactment of the law which would make corruption non-bailable to send a clear message that the scourge had no room in Zambia and that all those involved must be tried to the logical conclusion of such cases and that the process should include recovery of resources.

He said recovering looted resources and leaving those at the centre of the scourge will not address the problem as people will wholeheartedly continue to participate in corruption, knowing very well that once they were caught, there was a possibility of only surrendering the proceeds thereof without being jailed.

He has since applauded President Hakainde Hichilema for launching the National Policy on Anti-Corruption, saying such was a demonstration of the Government’s commitment to the fight against the vice.

“This is the answered prayer that the Head of State has listened to the calls and we want to see both corruptors and those involved in the scourge face the wrath of the law to avoid recurrence. There is a need to strengthen the law especially on the one enticing the officer. The officer involved and the one corrupting the officer should both face the law,” Mr. Saunders said.

He said the fight against corruption needed a combination of prosecution and asset recovery, adding that the commission needed to be strong by taking strong measures against the corruptor.

He noted that implementation of serious laws on corruption would increase revenue that could boost the country’s economy adding that corruption should be non bailable as it had plunged the country into the current mess.

He said with the policy in place, ACC should now work expeditiously and arrest anyone who would be found with the case to answer.

He explained that President Hakainde Hichilema was interested in solving problems that were created by the former Government adding that the launch will go a long way in tackling corruption in Zambia.