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Stiffer punishments will deter corruption - Citizens Forum

Stiffer punishments will deter corruption - Citizens Forum
By Kombe Chimpinde
Mon 17 Oct. 2011, 12:30 CAT

There is need for more progressive and stiffer laws that deter public officers from engaging in corrupt activities, says Simon Kabanda. And Kabanda has also demanded that President Banda be investigated over allegations linking him to corrupt activities during his tenure.

In an interview, Kabanda who is Citizens Forum executive secretary, said President Sata's assurance that his government would restore the abuse of office clause demonstrated his commitment to fighting corruption.

Last year, the MMD government amended the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) Act of 1996 to remove section 37, which provided for the prosecution of public officers found to have abused their offices.

"The announcement is a relief to Zambians. It is encouraging to know that the current President does not tolerate corruption. The reason why it (abuse of office clause) was removed was that the former president Rupiah Banda wanted to be free of anything after his tenure had come to an end. He knew what he was doing, and therefore legalised wrongdoing. So we are so happy that the provision is coming back and we hope that is a signal of many more of such pieces of legislation to come," Kabanda said.

"We need to strengthen the Anti Corruption Act as the President pointed out, so that there can be stiffer punishments. Stiffer punishments will be a deterrent to those who may wish to engage in corruption activities."

He said the removal of the abuse of office clause would make it difficult to prove some cases of abuse of office or theft of public funds.

"When we strengthen the law, it will be easier to prosecute cases of corruption, hence we are going to move in the right direction. We urge the members of parliament especially those that had supported the removal of the clause from the ACC Act not to continue to frustrate the wishes of Zambians by supporting the reinstatement of the clause when it is presented before Parliament. This is not time for politicking. What they should be thinking of is the good of the country," Kabanda said.

He said any opposition party that would not support the re-introduction of the abuse of office clause would simply be decampaigning itself.

Kabanda said that calls by various sections of society to have Banda investigated on allegations of corruption were justifiable.

"President Banda showed Zambians that he loved corruption. He embraced corruption and wrongdoing. Theft by public servant for him was okay. That is why he pushed for the removal of the abuse of office clause from the ACC Act. What is needed is for him to also be investigated," said Kabanda.

Labels: ACC, CITIZENS FORUM, SIMON KABANDA

posted by MrK @ 3:40 PM