MAKE CORRUPTION NON-BONDABLE, NON-BAILABLE

DANTE Saunders has brought out very interesting arguments as to why the fight against corruption in Zambia is seemingly an academic exercise in futility and we share in the old man’s frustrations because clearly, things are not moving accordingly.

When we see the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) coming back to us empty-handed over the fire truck tender scandal, to tell us that there was nothing wrong about the processes used in procuring them when even a Grade 7 child knows that the price was glaringly inflated, then, we should question ourselves as citizens if it is worth spending our money on that institution.

Yes, most of the people from the previous regime are walking freely after looting the country’s resources with impunity. Only a few of them are walking the tightrope while the rest are even laughing at how useless our investigative wings can be.

Most of them still have the resources dubiously acquired by virtue of their positions and are using the same to not only fight the current Government, but insulting the President with impunity and still go and sleep on a comfortable bed.

We are not saying no one should not have divergent views to that of those in Government or the President himself but those who stole and are making us go through the current hardships must be ashamed of themselves to even talk about the challenges we are facing when they are the architects of the current situation.

It goes without saying that our investigative wings have really failed us on this issue to a point where, like Saunders observed, even clear cases are either stopped on account of insufficient evidence or are being senselessly lost in the courts of law with culprits going scot-free and these are the same people who are regrouping, pooling their resources together, and are waging a war against those in power. 

Like Saunders observed, in Zambia, it is easy for one who steals a watermelon or common chicken to feed himself to go in and rot in jail while well-known thieves are walking freely everywhere. Maybe this is mostly because those given the responsibility of checking on criminal elements have turned themselves into criminal elements, susceptible to corruption.

It is clear that while the Government is eager to have that which was stolen from the Zambians returned to the rightful owners, the institutions that should help the Government achieve this are pulling in the opposite direction, working hard to ensure that those who stole keep the proceeds probably because they are sharing these in the dark while we sleep.

The only common story nowadays from the investigative wings is about an accountant in Serenje being arrested and jailed for corruption or a Town Planner somewhere being arrested for engaging in corruption activities. The real thieves whose sinister activities have shaken the economy of the country are still drinking their coffee in peace and one wonders what kind of corruption fight we are engaged in. It seems the anti-corruption fight has opened a loophole for which those who are supposed to stop the scourge have found an opportunity to misbehave and get rich.

Despite this gloomy picture, we still believe the fight against corruption can get some good results. Our view is that the starting point is making corruption non-bailable. Making corruption non-bailable sends a strong message that corruption will not be tolerated in Zambia.

This can act as a deterrent to individuals who may be considering engaging in corrupt practices. Non-bailable corruption charges hold individuals accountable for their actions and ensure that they face the consequences of their corrupt behavior. This can help to promote transparency and integrity in Government and business practices.

Non-bailable corruption charges can help to ensure that individuals who engage in corrupt practices are brought to justice and face appropriate punishment for their crimes. This can help to restore public trust and confidence in the legal system.

By making corruption non-bailable, the Government can prevent individuals accused of corruption from using their wealth or influence to evade justice. This can help to prevent corruption from spreading and becoming more entrenched in society.

Non-bailable corruption charges can help to ensure that individuals accused of corruption are treated fairly and equally under the law. This can help to promote a more just and equitable society in Zambia.

Singapore, for example, has been successful in fighting corruption through a combination of strong political will, effective enforcement mechanisms, and a culture of integrity and transparency.

Singapore prioritizes transparency and accountability in government operations, making it difficult for corrupt practices to go unnoticed. Zambia can enhance transparency in public institutions and ensure that government officials are held accountable for their actions. By adopting these strategies and learning from Singapore’s experience in fighting corruption, Zambia can make significant progress in combating corrupt practices and promoting integrity and good governance in the country.

As a country, we need to enact and enforce strict anti-corruption laws that criminalize corrupt practices and provide severe penalties for offenders. There is also a need to promote transparency in government operations, public procurement processes, and financial transactions to prevent corruption and hold officials accountable for their actions.

We also need to establish mechanisms to protect whistleblowers who report corruption, provide incentives for reporting, and ensure that whistleblowers are not subjected to retaliation or threats. On the other hand, there is a need to implement ethics training programs for public officials, promote a culture of integrity and ethical behavior in government institutions, and hold officials to high ethical standards.

Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach that includes strengthening anti-corruption laws, institutions, and mechanisms, promoting transparency and accountability, ensuring independence of the judiciary, protecting whistleblowers, and fostering a culture of integrity and ethical behavior in Zambia.