Maravi

Be clean if you don’t want to be pursued – TIZ

Be clean if you don’t want to be pursued – TIZ
Written by Maluba Jere
Monday, September 14, 2009 5:41:46 AM

PRESIDENTS should be as clean as a whistle if they do not want to be pursued once they leave office, Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) president Reuben Lifuka has advised.

And Lifuka has said the conviction and sentencing of former Taiwan president Chen Shui-bian to life in prison after being found guilty of corruption should send a strong signal to African leaders.

Commenting on former president Frederick Chiluba’s statement that leaders should not pursue their predecessors but should thank them even if they discover some weaknesses in their leadership, Lifuka said leaders’ actions must always be above board.

Addressing mourners at Chingola Road Cemetery on Thursday during the burial of Lemmy Chipili, a former Counsel General to Lubumbashi during his reign, Chiluba said development took place without the leaders targeting those who ruled before them.

But Lifuka said: “The onus is on the predecessors themselves. If they lead clear heads and their actions are above board, then no one will pursue them. They will be allowed to live quiet lives but if they are not clean in their leadership, then they will be pursued.”

And Lifuka said it was strange that African countries were always the ones performing badly on indices such as the one for corruption and doing business, and yet no single African country had convicted a former head of state.

Lifuka said it was sad that even when there was overwhelming evidence against leaders accused of corruption, they did everything possible to get off the hook.

“So this conviction in Taiwan is an important development. We have seen it happen in South Korea where they were pursing a former head of state and now this conviction in Taiwan,” Lifuka said. “This should send a strong signal to African leaders. It is unfortunate that leaders are not willing to be subjected to accountability.”

Lifuka said most allegations against certain leaders were true although there was need to understand that some accusations were malicious.

“Who are we helping by bending the rules? Who are we trying to fool?” Lifuka asked. “We are not serious as a continent.”

He also said messages about the fight against corruption were mostly used as political slogans while the majority of people continued suffering as a result of corrupt activities.

“We need to look inwards and do something,” said Lifuka. “If leaders are not clean, let us not pretend. We need to bring them to account. The problem is the value system in leadership circles is not as strong.”

The Taipei District Court last Friday convicted the two-term president Chen on six charges related to bribery and corruption, closing a fractious, high-profile case that opened almost nearly three years ago and involved Chen’s wife and numerous family members and aides.

Chen was also fined T$200million (about US $6million).

Labels: REUBEN LIFUKA, TAIWAN, TIZ

posted by MrK @ 4:45 AM