IG sets up team to probe corruption

IG sets up team to probe corruption
By Kombe Chimpinde
Mon 17 Oct. 2011, 13:20 CAT

Dr Martin Malama says that he has constituted a team of police officers to thoroughly investigate all criminal cases recently presented before the police following President Michael Sata's directive to sweep the country of corruption.

In an interview, newly-appointed Inspector General of Police, Dr Malama, said the public should expect a number of people to be summoned to help with investigations on cases before the team.

"I believe, within a short period of time, the nation will be kept abreast with our findings, immediately we conclude our investigations. However, we are not naming any names. All I can say is that investigations so far are quite detailed and they will be presented to the courts soon," Dr Malama said.

He said the police would not spare any of those found wanting in all the criminal cases regardless of their status in society.

"I was just looking at the Constitution of this Republic, there is no one who is above the law. The police is looking at many cases and the nation will be kept abreast. For whoever we call, according to the Constitution, there are avenues in which anybody required by the police which must be followed," Dr Malama said.

"The normal standard procedure will be followed and the public should be assured that we will sweep this country clean."

He said currently, the Zambia Police Force had assigned over 60 officers who were dedicated to various cases working round the clock.

"In addition to many others, there are so many people being summoned while some will be summoned in the near future to ensure that investigations are concluded as soon as possible. Many will start appearing in court and all this will be done where evidence is available. It will not be persecution but it will be merely prosecution of cases that the courts will deem fit and our competent courts will be able to direct them," said Dr Malama.

President Sata, during the swearing in of Dr Malama as Inspector General, urged the latter to sweep the country clean of corruption because there were too many instances of corruption including at State House.