Maravi

Investigating DEC officers

Investigating DEC officers
By Editor
Tuesday July 31, 2007 [04:00]

It is clear that there are more problems at the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) than meets the eye. In the last few days, we have heard allegations and counter allegations at DEC involving both senior and not-so-senior officers. In fact, the top two officers-commissioner Ryan Chitoba and his deputy Koyi - are being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on allegations of abuse of authority of office. However, the high command feels implicated by the junior officers facing various disciplinary actions.

The command feel that these officers are behind the ‘false and malicious’ reports against them to the ACC. On the other hand, there are people within DEC and beyond who think that Chitoba and Koyi have abused the authorities of their offices and should therefore be made to face the law.

These are very serious matters which require equally serious and thorough investigations. DEC is charged with the serious and complicated responsibility of fighting drug trafficking and money laundering in the country. But when we start to hear that the people charged with the responsibility of fighting money laundering are the ones engaging in the same illegal activity, we wonder where we are going as a country.

That is why it is imperative that thorough and conclusive investigations are conducted in order to preserve the integrity of this important institution. Once institutions like DEC are destroyed, then we are destroyed as a country. When DEC does not command the necessary respect and confidence from our people, drug traffickers and money launderers will be free to go about their illegal activities unhindered, knowing that there would be no one to stop them because the officers to do that will also be involved in the same activities. In short, there will be no police officers to chase the thief because the officer has chosen to join the thief.

This should be a matter of grave concern to all, especially those who believe in building strong institutions to fight illegal activities that threaten the well-being of our economy and the country in general.

In saying this, we are not in any way implying that Chitoba and his colleague Koyi are guilty. What we would like to see are credible investigations conducted against them so that at the end of the day, no one should have reason to complain, knowing that everything was done above board.

However, at the rate things are going, we doubt if this problem at DEC will be concluded in the manner that is credible, a manner that will leave no bitter taste in the mouth. We say this because ordinarily, Chitoba and Koyi are supposed to step aside as investigations against them continue. This is the normal thing that all those who believe in justice and fair play would expect from the appointing authority, ACC or indeed the suspects themselves.

When the appointing authority says ‘stay away until investigations are completed’, they are not implying that the person being investigated is guilty. Equally, when the suspects offer to step aside, they are not in any way pleading guilty. All they will be saying is, ‘don’t feel restrained by our presence, we will be back in the office after the investigations should we be found undented’.

But there is a problem in this country. People have become so judgemental and unnecessarily protective. If the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) calls for Chitoba’s suspension, other people will immediately accuse LAZ of being against Chitoba. And yet LAZ is there to promote justice in our country.

The same will be said about us. If we called for Chitoba’s suspension pending investigations, we would be labelled as people who want to see Chitoba’s downfall. This is not correct.

That is why overzealous ministers like Mike Mulongoti, who are in a hurry to please their master, would like to gag our mouths and threaten us with all sorts of things calculated to stop us from working effectively. Mulongoti in his wisdom says we should just report or expose wrongs in society without commenting on them because doing so will be inciting authorities.

But we feel that better solutions can only be found where a problem is openly and honestly discussed. These problems at DEC started simmering about two months ago. And because some people decided to bury their heads in the sand, today these problems are threatening the very foundation of DEC. If not properly handled, these problems will permanently affect the credibility of DEC.

Rev Moses Lungu is telling us today that in fact some DEC officers have betrayed the real whistle blowers, that they have given out information to unauthorised people, which information in some cases has made it difficult for DEC to conduct successful investigations.

This matter is equally of grave concern and must be investigated because if whistle blowers are not protected, DEC will not receive any more tip-offs from members of the public to enable them to follow up on drug traffickers and money launderers. There is need to ensure that DEC officers observe professionalism, otherwise the unprofessional and unethical officers might just end up endangering the lives of their informers.

That is why we feel that the problems at DEC serious because they go beyond Chitoba and Koyi. Every little complaint against Chitoba, Koyi and indeed officers in general must be checked properly and efforts made to ensure that preventive and corrective measures are put in place. This is the more reason we are calling upon ACC and other investigating agencies to conduct very credible investigations at DEC, which should go a long way in protecting the image and integrity of the institution. Failure to do that would be spelling doom on the institution that has so far done a commendable job in curbing drug trafficking and money laundering, among other vices in our society.

Labels: ACC, DEC, EDITORIAL, RYAN CHITOBA

posted by MrK @ 4:11 AM