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Let's honour Levy's vision - TIZ

Let's honour Levy's vision - TIZ
By Maluba Jere
Sunday August 31, 2008 [04:00]

TRANSPARENCY International Zambia (TIZ) has said it will honour President Levy Mwanawasa’s vision of a corrupt-free Zambia by being vigilant in exposing corrupt individuals. TIZ president Reuben Lifuka said Zambians should know that any leader who uses corruption to be nominated was not worth leading the country. Lifuka said leaders bribing their way to be nominated would only be a recipe for further plunder once elected.

“We believe in the vision of the late President Mwanawasa for a corrupt free-country and we will honour this vision by being vigilant and we will not allow corruption to take place on our watch,” Lifuka said.

“Zambia cannot allow itself to be ruled by corrupt leaders. We will sensitise the Zambian people that any leader who uses corruption to be nominated is not worth leading this country and will simply be a recipe for further plunder once elected as president.”

He said his organisation found the initial politicking of various potential contenders to be premature, immoral and without due recognition of the need to mourn the President with decorum and dignity.

“We have noted with dismay that the campaign season has opened even before we put to rest President Levy Mwanawasa,” Lifuka said.

“While we recognise that the succession process will be heavily contested and an important phase in the political development of both the ruling and opposition parties, we find the initial politicking of various potential contenders to be premature, immoral and without due recognition of the need to mourn our leader with decorum and dignity.”

He also expressed worry at what he termed numerous allegations of money changing hands among political players in order to influence the selection of some people to be the preferred presidential candidate for the forthcoming elections.

“Transparency International Zambia wishes to warn all political parties that we shall do everything in our power to expose and shame all those who are engaging in corrupt activities in order to secure nomination,” he said.

Lifuka noted that Zambia needs clean and credible leaders who will build on the legacy of late President Levy Mwanawasa.

Lifuka also advised parastatal companies not to allow themselves to be conduits for bribery, adding that similarly, private sector companies that carelessly allow themselves to be benefactors of some contenders risk tarnishing their image.

“To the political parties, we ask for decency in your conduct and let the Zambians mourn and put to rest President Mwanawasa in dignity,” said Lifuka. “The outpouring of sympathy for the President's passing on should be dignified by appropriate leadership from both the ruling and opposition political parties.”

Labels: MWANAWASA, TIZ

posted by MrK @ 9:38 AM