Progress Despite CPI Drop

Mweetwa says, Swift legal action and convictions and asset forfeiture mark first-time progress, restores public confidence

By Francis Maingaila ♥️ 

Lusaka, Zambia — Government has acknowledged Zambia’s drop on the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) but insists that significant progress has been made in prosecuting corruption cases and recovering stolen assets.

Information and Media Minister Cornelius Mweetwa, who is also Chief Government Spokesperson, said the government takes the Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) report seriously.

He emphasized that concluding corruption cases is critical to restoring public trust.

“It is very important that corruption legal proceedings are concluded,” Mweetwa said.

He noted that in the past, some corruption cases dragged on for decades, with certain matters dating back to 2003 only concluding after 2021.

“Citizens lost confidence because it appeared to be arrests without convictions,” he added.

Mweetwa said the current administration has changed that trend through the Financial and Economic Crimes Court (FECC).

He said visible progress has been made in two key areas: convictions and asset forfeiture.

“This is the first time Zambia has seen large-scale forfeiture of property believed to be proceeds of crime,” Mweetwa said.

He cited high-profile cases where prominent individuals were either convicted or acquitted, emphasizing that acquittals are also part of due process.

Mweetwa disclosed that about US$24 million was recovered from a lawyer and returned to the state.

Several former ministers have had unexplained properties forfeited, including assets such as helicopters.

On Zambia’s CPI score, Mweetwa said TIZ rated the country 37 out of 100, below the global average of 42.

He noted that Zambia reached a historic high of 39 in 2023, but the current score reflects persistent governance challenges.

“TIZ has identified weaknesses in enforcement, accountability, and oversight institutions,” Mweetwa said.

He added that the report also cited challenges in the justice system, including limited resources and perceptions of politicization.

Government, Mweetwa said, accepts the findings.

“As government, we acknowledge this report and we take it seriously,” he said, adding that the administration plans to work with TIZ and cooperating partners to address the weaknesses.

“We want to ensure these issues do not appear again in the next CPI report,” he noted.

Mweetwa identified three key factors that contributed to the dip in Zambia’s CPI score.

First, he cited the Zambia Medicines and Supplies Agency (ZAMSA) forensic audit, which exposed serious corruption in the health sector.

“It was President Hakainde Hichilema who instituted that forensic audit,” Mweetwa said.

He added that the audit shows government’s willingness to confront corruption openly.

Second, he pointed to the abuse of Constituency Development Funds (CDF).

Government has received widespread reports of misuse of CDF resources.

“All those found abusing CDF will face the law,” Mweetwa said.

He noted that Bill No. 7 strengthens accountability by involving Members of Parliament in council oversight.

Third, Mweetwa cited the abuse of school grants, which were either non-existent or underfunded before President Hichilema took office.

He said some officials are now misusing these funds.

On public reaction to corruption cases, Mweetwa expressed concern over attempts to shield suspects.

He said some citizens portray lawful prosecutions as political persecution, undermining the fight against corruption.

“They never stole for a tribe or a region. They stole for themselves and their families,” he said.

Addressing concerns about weak enforcement, Mweetwa said suspects are now swiftly taken to the FECC.

Past practices, such as tipping off suspects or sabotaging cases, no longer occur under the current Anti-Corruption Commission leadership.

Regarding perceptions of politicization, Mweetwa said these are not supported by facts.

“You have seen ministers from this administration being arrested,” he said, emphasizing that the rule of law is applied equally.

He also noted amendments to the Judiciary Act, which increased the number of judges from 60 to 200, allowing corruption cases to be handled more efficiently.

On limited resources for oversight institutions, Mweetwa acknowledged challenges but noted improvements since 2021.

He added that Zambia’s CCC+ credit rating reflects growing international confidence in the economy.

“As the economy grows, resources for oversight institutions will also grow,” he said.

On institutional independence, Mweetwa said debates continue about presidential appointments to bodies such as the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC).

However, he stressed that these institutions operate independently under President Hichilema.

Mweetwa said the fight against corruption remains a top priority.

“Corruption affects business confidence and foreign direct investment,” he said, describing the battle as both a moral and economic necessity.

“So much work remains, but it is work for all of us,” he concluded.