Selective Enforcement Undermines Trust

High-ranking officials shielded from scrutiny while opposition figures face swift investigations.

By Francis Maingaila ♥️ 

Lusaka, Zambia 24–  (29 August 2025) - Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) has rated the UPND government’s first four years in office low-performing on anti-corruption and governance, citing selective enforcement, weak transparency, and stalled reforms.

The assessment, read by Priscila Chikonde, TI-Z Chapter President, at the Secretariat, evaluated 12 key promises from the UPND 2021–2026 Manifesto, covering corruption, rule of law, and economic management. The administration scored 2.1 out of 5, with nine of the 12 promises rated poorly.

“While the government has strengthened anti-corruption institutions, overall performance remains low, particularly in asset declarations and lifestyle audits,” Chikonde said. 

“These gaps undermine public confidence and fuel perceptions of impunity, especially where enforcement appears selective.”

Areas of greatest concern include asset and wealth declarations (1.6/5) and lifestyle audits (1.8/5), where no comprehensive legislation exists and implementation is inconsistent. 

“Asset declaration, even up to the level of the President, has remained a no-go area,” Chikonde added. 

“Without a clear legal framework and consistent audits, citizens cannot track government performance.”

TI-Z noted some progress, including strengthening the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) with a new board and Director-General, and increasing funding from K73 million in 2021 to nearly K180 million in 2025. 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Court has accelerated some high-profile cases, and the Access to Information Act, enacted in December 2023, is a historic step toward transparency.

Despite these gains, challenges remain. “High-ranking officials continue to be implicated in corruption allegations without visible action,” Chikonde said. 

“Political will must go beyond rhetoric if citizens are to trust the fight against corruption is fair and impartial.” 

She also noted selective enforcement, where opposition figures are investigated publicly while ruling party officials remain shielded.

Chikonde raised concerns about media freedom, saying, “The misuse of charges such as ‘conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace’ to detain journalists erodes civic space and undermines the rule of law. 

A journalist from Mast Newspaper was recently detained for photographing a public scene, highlighting the urgency of protecting civil liberties.”

On economic management, stakeholders acknowledged improved macroeconomic stability, but poverty remains high at 60 percent in 2022, up from 54.4 percent in 2015. Misuse of programmes such as the Constituency Development Fund continues to deprive communities of resources.

TI-Z recommended that the government embed anti-corruption benchmarks in performance contracts, complete reforms to the Anti-Corruption Act, establish a comprehensive asset declaration law, and implement a lifestyle audit framework with safeguards. 

Chikonde emphasized, “The Access to Information Act must be fully operationalised, law enforcement applied fairly across political lines, civic space and press freedom protected, and political financing regulated to curb undue influence.”

She added, “Macroeconomic stability must be linked to anti-poverty measures. With one year remaining in this mandate, the administration must act decisively to restore public trust, ensure transparency, and ensure public resources improve the lives of Zambians.”