Commission for Investigations' inadequate capacity worries TIZ

Commission for Investigations' inadequate capacity worries TIZ
By Lambwe Kachali
Friday June 13, 2008 [04:00]

TRANSPARENCY International Zambia (TIZ) president Reuben Lifuka yesterday said the Commission for Investigations' inadequate institutional capacity is a serious source of concern. Commenting on the Investigator General Caroline Sokoni's statement that the Commission only had two investigators against the required number of over 20, among other challenges, Lifuka said the institution was key in ensuring transparency and accountability in public functions but that institutional capacity and poor funding had impacted negatively on its operations.

"The Commission has the mandate to investigate allegations of maladministration or abuse of office or authority and thus it should play a critical role in advancing the cause for transparency and accountability in the discharge of public functions. Indeed, the Commission in its present state lacks enforcement powers of its decisions and relies on the President for enforcement of its recommendations," Lifuka said. "Additionally, the Commission is poorly funded and lacks visibility. All these factors act against the Commission and it is important that the issue of reform of the Commission is not restricted to merely reporting to Parliament."

Lifuka said the current system where the Commission reports and makes recommendations to the President was cumbersome and could easily render investigations subjective. He said TIZ supported the proposal that the Commission, which is an Ombudsman, reports to Parliament.

"We agree that the current system in which the Commission is reporting to the President on every investigation conducted is cumbersome, not practical and not forgetting that it can easily render some investigations subjective," he said.

Lifuka said the Commission for Investigations should be given investigative powers and access to all institutions and documents necessary to perform its functions.

"The Commission should be vested with enforcement powers of its decisions. We do support the proposal that the Commission as an Ombudsman should report to Parliament but other aspects need to be reflected in the Constitution including enlarging the jurisdiction of the Commission and also give it investigative powers and access to all institutions and documents which it considers necessary to perform its functions," he said.

Lifuka also said the work of the Commission was complaint-driven and therefore its proceedings were formal and should be conducted in camera. He urged the Commission to hold its sessions in public to enhance transparency and also improve its visibility.

On Tuesday during the NCC public service committee sitting, Sokoni also revealed that the Commission for Investigations only had two investigators against the ideal turnover of at least 1,000 cases per year. Sokoni also bemoaned poor funding to the institution.