Patronage a form of corruption - Chikwanda
By Chiwoyu Sinyangwe
Mon 21 May 2012, 13:40 CAT
PATRONAGE and cronyism are insidious forms of corruption, says finance minister Alexander Chikwanda.
Chikwanda deplored government-driven programmes of citizens' economic empowerment, saying they had only succeeded in promoting corruption by enriching those close to the people administering empowerment programmes. He said for a long time, Zambians had grown up and been raised in the system of patronage and cronyism.
He said most people believed that corruption only involved stealing money.
"But cronyism, patronage are insidious forms of corruption. That is why for me, I am not an enthusiast of so-called empowerment policies whether in Zambia or South Africa," Chikwanda said last Friday during the Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry dinner in Lusaka.
"Just as a person, I think the only way the government can help to empower people is by creating conditions which are conducive for people to self-fulfil themselves and perform to the best of their potentialities."
Chikwanda said the government's empowering of people amounted to patronage.
"Development is predicated on individual creativity and initiative, to create an atmosphere, not based on favouritism," Chikwanda said.
"It is important that we get the idea of development right. We create a system where there is no favouritism, let those people who have began to work prosper but not these empowerments via government institutions…what they are doing is not empowering people; what they are doing is just to create some obnoxious forms of corruption."
Chikwanda said citizens empowerment programmes had only resulted in the money being shared among few relatives and friends.
He noted that often the money would never be repaid.
"Let us do introspection. Let us find out what is wrong with us. Why is it that we only go on proliferating slogans and myths and fiction? Our country's development proceeds leaves much to be desired. There are very few entrepreneurs," said Chikwanda.
Labels: ALEXANDER CHIKWANDA, NEOLIBERALISM, PATRONAGE
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COMMENT - Maybe that is why the Agriculture special at ZambiaBlogtalkradio was so uneventful. All these officials sounded like they barely knew anything about their own business. Did we really need to know the names of the ministries that are involved in agriculture? They didn't have anything insightful to say about the subject.
Sacika attributes corruption in civil service to appointment of cadres
By Agness Changala
Sun 07 Mar. 2010, 06:50 CAT
FORMER secretary to the cabinet Sketchley Sacika has attributed the inefficiency, lack of commitment and corruption in the civil service to the appointing of unqualified political cadres as permanent secretaries.
On Monday, outgoing Southern Province permanent secretary Darius Hakayobe said there was no permanent secretary who was not a politician and pleaded with his successor Gladys Kristafor to look after provincial minister Daniel Munkombwe.
Commenting on Hakayobe's sentiments, Sacika said most of the permanent secretaries were not qualified for their positions because of such political appointments.
“They are not qualified because the ruling MMD has become a recruiting ground,” he said.
“Politicisation of the civil service won't make the government perform well, more especially if we do not attach the aspect of professionalism where men and women will compete for positions based on their qualifications.”
He said those in the government played double standards because while they asked civil servants not to engage in politics, it suited them to appoint political cadres to important positions like permanent secretaries and district commissioners.
Sacika said permanent secretaries were not supposed to be politicians but administrators. He said claims by Hakayobe that permanent secretaries were politicians were misconstrued and misunderstood.
“If the post were not permanent, they would have given it a different name but it's unfortunate that they have turned it into a political post,” he said.
Sacika said Hakayobe's sentiments were not surprising because they were a reflection of what was happening in the government.
“The essence of the government has been entrenched in a one party mode, “ he said.
“We are supposed to be a multiparty state but the way the government conducts its affairs still reflects what used to happen in one party state.”
Sacika said the ruling MMD, like in the one party state, had taken over state institutions like the parastatal organisations and all these at civil service level were being controlled by their political cadres.
Sacika said the civil service both at permanent secretary and director levels was now controlled by party cadres.
“The question is, should that be case? “ The answer is no!” he said.
Sacika said the civil service belonged to men and women who were appointed or promoted based on their qualifications.
Labels: CADRES, CIVIL SERVANTS, CORRUPTION, DARIUS HAKAYOBE, DR. SKETCHLEY SACIKA, PATRONAGE, PERMANENT SECRETARIES
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Join the fight
Written by Editor
The highest level of political thought was reached when some people became aware that no one had the right to rob others and that the fruits of the efforts and intelligence of each human being should reach all others; that no one really had to be a wolf, but could be a brother or sister to others.
We salute all those who have arrived at these stimulating convictions and we also salute those who, although they may not share such ideas, are honest democrats and progressives, because consistently practiced, political honesty is the road that leads a person’s mind and will to doing good. We say all this in the light of the observations made by Michael Koplovsky, the charge d’affaires at the United States Embassy in Lusaka, about the need to fight corruption in Zambia.
No honest politician, no honest citizen would tolerate corruption. As we have seen, corruption robs our people of the resources needed to develop their country and themselves.
We agree with Koplovsky’s observation that the Zambian people deserve a responsive and responsible government and that they should demand transparency and accountability from their government. Without accountability, our political leaders will start to pursue their own interests and forget about the plight of our people. They will steal public resources to enrich themselves.
Power is power. It is said that the most important struggle for someone in power is the struggle against himself or herself, the struggle for self-restraint. That could well be one of the most difficult things.
It is not easy to struggle against corruption, and even against the abuse of prerogatives. One needs to have a very well developed and strong conscience, because we have seen people become conceited and use power incorrectly; the tendency to use power incorrectly is something that we see in this country almost on a daily basis.
We have consistently advised that the exercise of power must be the constant practice of self-limitation and modesty. Without this, there will be no wrong that one cannot do when in power. Entrusting the running of government to dishonest people, to corrupt people, is very dangerous. It is not even easy to remove corrupt people from power by a simple vote. Sometimes it takes a lot of sacrifice to remove corrupt people from office, people may be forced to vote with their blood. At the rate things are going, we don’t think this government will be capable of conducting free and fair elections in 2011. Nothing will stop them from manipulating the process, from rigging the elections to continue their hold on power. These are people who don’t seem to be able to function meaningfully without political power, without access to state resources. Such people will do anything within their means to hold on to power.
So the fight against corruption is not only for the preservation of public financial resources. It is also for the preservation of democracy and good governance in general. Corrupt people cannot run a democratic government. Corrupt people will steal anything including elections, votes. Those who think they can allow this government to operate corruptly and then deliver a devastating blow against them in the 2011 elections are cheating themselves. If this corruption is allowed to continue unabated, Rupiah Banda and his friends will retain power in 2011.
It is good that the whole world, including the American people, is starting to be aware of the corruption that is going on in our country. History shows that no problem has ever been solved until it has become a tangible reality of which everyone is aware. We cannot fight this corruption alone. We need the support of all progressive and honest people in this world. The support of other nations is absolutely necessary, regardless of political concepts, systems of government, philosophical convictions and other beliefs. This is not the first time we will seek the support of others. We sought it in our independence struggle and we had the support of others, including of the American people. With the support of others, we have confronted complex and difficult situations in the past with firmness and determination. Together we have striven and struggled and together we have scored victories. In this same spirit and with this same determination, we must be ready to wage the most colossal, legitimate, worth and necessary battle against corruption, for our people’s lives and future.
Therefore, we should not be bothered about the issue of perception. What should bother us should be the corruption that is taking place in our country, that is robbing our people of the resources needed for their development and sustenance of their lives that are being stolen by greedy people. If the news that is getting to the world about corruption in our country is true, why should that bother us in terms of perception? What should bother us is that what is being reported in the international media is actually happening here. And the stories that appeared in the American media about corruption in Zambia are true. Everything that was said in those stories was true and can be so proved. If this means loss of financial support from the American people, let it be. We say this because we also don’t want the American people to waste their money by sending it here to be stolen. Today the American people are facing many problems and they need all the resources. But if they can spare something for us in these circumstances, we owe them a duty to use that money in an efficient and effective manner and not to steal it or abuse it.
It cannot be denied that there is so much wastage and abuse of public funds in this country. Wastage and abuse of public funds is corruption. And in this country, that wastage and abuse starts at State House itself; it starts with Rupiah himself. Rupiah started abusing public resources during last year’s presidential election campaigns. We saw ambulances from the Ministry of Health being used to transport Rupiah’s campaign staff. What is the difference between that and directly stealing government money? The fuel that was propelling those vehicles was bought with government funds. The drivers who were being paid to drive those vehicles were paid for by the government. Clearly, here public funds were stolen to finance Rupiah’s campaign. The gallivanting around, the excessive travel allowances that Rupiah and his team are being paid by the government amounts to nothing but wastage and abuse of public funds. Again, this is corruption. Why should the American people and others be made to pay for this?
If we need and seek the support or help of others, we have a duty to use such assistance prudently. And it is not only what others give us that should be used prudently. We have to start with our own money and use it wisely. What is the use of misusing our own resources and after that go and ask others for help? It is like someone takes his whole pay, squanders it and then the following day, starts to trouble the neighbour for all sorts of things – charcoal, salt, sugar, soap, relish, mealie-meal and so on and so forth.
If we cannot account for our resources well, we don’t deserve other people’s assistance. If we are going to spend our taxpayers’ money on unnecessary travel allowances for our politicians and public servants, then we don’t deserve funding from others who are not misusing their money in like manner.
Therefore, it is clear that every Zambian of goodwill should play a part in fighting corruption, in fighting abuse of public resources. This is the only way we can ensure that our government provides our people with the necessary services. And as we have stated before, there is nothing which makes people more appreciative of a government than that it should be able to deliver services. And it doesn’t matter how much money a country earns. If that money is not used properly, there will not be development in that country and poverty and despair will be the order of the day. We have many examples of such countries in Africa. We have on this continent countries with very high levels of income from oil but with their people suffering worse forms of poverty than some countries with lower incomes which are managed by relatively more honest governments.
We therefore make a clarion call to all Zambians to join the fight against corruption. And we also urge the co-operating partners of our country to join in this fight because if they don’t, their assistance to us will be of no value, will not yield any positive results.
Labels: CORRUPTION, PATRONAGE
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Banda has entrenched 'Kumozi Kumawa', says Nawakwi
Written by Margaret Habbuno and George Chellah
Friday, June 19, 2009 1:57:37 PM
PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has entrenched the "Kumozi Kumawa" system in his government, Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) president Edith Nawakwi has said. And the Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) on Thursday said the quick re-appointment of Dora Siliya as education minister was a source of discord and justifiable outcry.
Commenting on the re-appointment of Siliya as education minister following High Court judge Phillip Musonda's decision to clear her of any wrongdoing as found by the tribunal, Nawakwi said the re-appointment of Siliya into public office was a clear indication that her resignation was ill-timed.
"Her [Dora] re-elevation to Cabinet portfolio gives us a lot of questions as to the authenticity and genuineness on the fight on corruption. It is not about whether my sister Dora is corrupt or not, that is not the issue. The issue is about the public outcry on the procedure used to hire companies from outside to undertake the public job," Nawakwi said.
"During the [Levy] Mwanawasa government, it was called the family tree now in the Rupiah Banda government it is called Kumozi Kumawa government."
She said it was common knowledge to everybody, including the President, that tenders for contracts above K2 billion needed to be advertised.
"So it is not even an issue of the tribunal, the rights and merits of the decision of the Supreme Court or the tribunal. It is about the moral issue to the extent of what is the public presumption of this new minister of education," she explained.
Nawakwi said it was sad that the Judiciary had been brought to public odium, saying the country did not expect the High Court judges to overrule the Supreme Court judges.
"To bring the Judiciary into public odium in the manner that it has been brought gives us very, very sad... and indeed as many have commented that we don't expect the High Court judge to overrule the Supreme Court judges, the tribunal was set up as a way of dealing with the ministers and parliamentarians. To overrule such decision means that [the parliamentary and ministerial code of conduct] Act in the law sure should not even exist. But more so the appointment which came hardly six hours later simply gives one the impression that judge Musonda was instructed to rule in the manner that he ruled," Nawakwi said.
She said in the absence of the truth about the outcome of the ruling, it would not be wrong for one to conclude that President Banda just waited for the ruling before he could immediately re-appoint Siliya to Cabinet.
"Unless someone tells us how the President was just waiting for this ruling, an announcement, and sure if it is not the difference between the time of announcement probably re-appointments came hardly minutes after judge Musonda's pronouncement on the tribunal findings," Nawakwi said. "For those of us who are spectators, for those of us who are their supporters are deeply, deeply disappointed."
Nawakwi said she supported women power but that how one attained it matters.
"I am one person who supports women power. I would be the first one to support a female education minister in the country because as mothers once we hear that a girl child has been appointed minister we feel happy. But it does not have to be at the cost of the integrity of the Judiciary and the written laws of this country," she said.
Nawakwi said if Siliya stepped aside from her position before the tribunal was set up until the time the report of the findings was presented, people would have accepted the High Court's judgment.
"If she was requested to give up her position until the findings were done we would have said that 'ya at least she has been cleared'. But Madam Honorable Siliya was in her position until the tribunal finished its findings," she said.
"The President is pilling up more issues on his presidency instead of talking about strike issues in the country. The President came, he has been quiet. I expected him to talk about issues that will bring development to the country and survival of the Zambian people. This is a very controversial issue and will not be put to rest in a week's time."
Nawakwi said wrong steps were taken in Siliya's re-appointment to Cabinet.
"The steps that have been taken in her appointment are the ones that are very wrong. I am not in a position to judge if at all she will manage to run the education ministry. It is too early. Honourable Siliya will be dealing with professors, interact with the university graduates, dealing with the international community. The President said she was very clever and I am sure that's why she has been appointed. He is sure that she has the capacity to handle the ministry," she said.
And SACCORD information officer Michelo Mwango said the organization was concerned at the re-appointment of Siliya barely 24 hours after the court judgment that overturned the Dennis Chirwa-chaired tribunal findings.
"Zambians look up to their political leadership for good governance and amicable settlement of varied interests. However, we find the decision by the Executive rather hasty. It is clear that the re-appointment of Hon. Dora Siliya as Education Minister is a source of discord and justifiable outcry," Mwango said.
"While we agree that the President has the mandate to appoint whosoever, he wants in any given ministerial position, we disagree when such appointments are made in the midst of controversy. Hon. Dora Siliya resigned on moral grounds and her acceptance to a ministerial position so soon makes us question whether she genuinely resigned on moral grounds or they were other precipitating factors."
He said as a people, Zambians needed to ensure that they build a political leadership that was seen to represent the citizens in their concerns.
"Therefore, Executive actions should set good examples in the eyes of the whole society. Zambia needs to move away from a culture that embraces a political leadership that is seen to have no respect for public office although they are legally absolved," Mwango said.
"Indeed, the recent High Court judgment by Hon. Phillip Musonda over the Dora Siliya tribunal has left more questions than answers about the internal procedures of our Judiciary. The failure by the High Court to address for instance issues surrounding procurement is serious because now the Hon. Minister has been reassigned to a more challenging ministry in terms of procurement and yet the court has not made any corrective measures."
He said SACCORD finds the dismissal of all the findings of the tribunal not only vexing but also undermining trust and constructive resolution of disputes in the country.
"For us, the judgment has not only caused more conflict but it has also created a perception of discord in our judicature. While accepting the judgment as believers in the rule of law, it seems to us that the bench as the custodian of justice ought to be consistent and cautious in the manner they dispense justice and their judicial responsibilities, particularly in cases that carry political nuances," said Mwango.
"We implore the Chief Justice to take measures to ensure that the integrity of the Judiciary is protected and does not suffer erosion of confidence from the public."
President Banda on Wednesday appointed Siliya as education minister following her being cleared by judge Musonda on Tuesday of any wrongdoing in her engagement of RP Capital Partners to valuate Zamtel assets.
The Chirwa tribunal that was set up to probe Siliya found that she breached the Constitution when she engaged RP Capital Partners and this finding saw her resign from her ministerial position.
Labels: DORA SILIYA, EDITH NAWAKWI, PATRONAGE, RUPIAH BANDA, SACCORD
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No friendship, no political patronage
Written by Editor
The time has come for crimes against the state, against the people, to be investigated thoroughly. When crimes are committed it does not matter who has committed them. It even doesn’t matter what the record of public service of those who have raped the people is.
We say this because it is easy to have been good in the past, to be good today and to end up being bad tomorrow. Yes, we know that in life, past good record is usually used as a mitigation. But we have not come to that stage yet where people should offer mitigations. The stage we are at is one of unearthing all the wrongs that have been committed against our people, all the stealing of public resources that has taken place.
And in this regard, as the Lozis would say, “…akuna mwana amoola, nebayena moola kasibili.” What the Lozis are saying is that when it comes to wrongdoing, there is no favourite person who should be protected; even the favourite person himself or herself should be made to face the temerity of his or her actions.
This is why when we have been accused of wrongdoing over the affairs of Zambian Airways, our response has been “no one is above the law, not even ourselves. If we have done something wrong, we should be arrested and be prosecuted like everyone else”.
This is the standard we believe should apply to everyone whether friend or foe of those in power, or even of ours. The only issue that should never be lost sight of is of fairness, of equitable application of the law. We also believe this applies to us in our coverage of wrongdoing. No person should think they will be protected from exposure, from denunciation or harangue on account of them being our friends. It is not wrong for them to be our friends but it is wrong for them to commit crimes against the people, to steal or abuse public resources.
And in this regard, loyalty and commitment to the people and their interests should always take precedence over obligations to an individual, to a friend.
Reading Dr Simon Miti’s letter to Rupiah Banda makes us feel that the man is seeking political protection. Why? What makes him believe this protection can be extended to him? What makes him think pleading his innocence to Rupiah and reminding him of all sorts of things is enough to get him off the hook?
We know, and many Zambians know, that the Ministry of Health has been the citadel of political and financial abuses of public resources in this country for a very long time. In 2001, the Ministry of Health was used by Frederick Chiluba, Kashiwa Bulaya and others to get Levy Mwanawasa elected.
Millions of taxpayers’ money was siphoned off from the Ministry of Health to fund Levy’s campaign. Even automobiles, some of them probably even donated by donors, were removed from the Ministry of Health and used in Levy’s campaign. We exposed this. We denounced this.
Later, when the time came for accounting, for prosecuting the wrongdoings of Bulaya, Levy and George Kunda tried to give political protection to Bulaya because of the favours he did for them, including testifying for them in the presidential petition that followed those corrupt elections.
We will not be surprised to hear that Dr Miti thinks Rupiah and George can try to do for him what Levy and this same George tried to do for Bulaya – but failed miserably.
Protection of friends who have done wrong things is a very serious crime and should be considered a very immoral act. If a friend is doing wrong against the people and we are aware of it, we should be the first ones to report him or her to the police. In decent societies, you cannot run to your family for protection, to hide after you have committed a crime - they will hand you over very quickly to the police. This is what used to happen in this country before our families, our communities, our nation lost their values, their standards, their principles and started to defend and protect wrongdoing and wrongdoers.
This is why today people like Chiluba and his convicted wife still continue to enjoy special reservation at state functions. This is why today, they continue to be defended by pastors of all sorts of churches. This is why today even ministers of government like Benny Tetamashimba, Ronnie Shikapwasha and Mike Mulongoti are defending Chiluba’s crimes in all sorts of ways.
After many battles or differences, we came to enjoy what can be said to be a good relationship with Levy but never did we on any occasion shy away from exposing or denouncing wrong decisions, wrong actions from him or his government. We denounced Levy heavily over the Bulaya issue. And who was going round defending him and calling us names? Don’t be surprised! It was the same Mike Mulongoti who is today defending Chiluba!
Friendship or loyalty should never extend to defence of wrongdoing. None of us has the duty of defending a friend who engages in wrong things. We can be civil towards them, we can extend personal favours but the public should be protected from wrongdoers, whoever they might be.
It was in this vein that we called for the arrest and prosecution of Mutembo Nchito if he had done anything wrong at Zambian Airways. But these same people started going round saying or insinuating that we had differed with Mutembo. In their own judgement, no one should ever call for the arrest or prosecution of a friend who has done wrong unless the friendship has soured or has been repudiated.
Of course, we made that call knowing very well that Mutembo had done nothing wrong, and we could even vouch for his innocence, but still more we refused to put this very dear brother of ours above the law. This is as it should be. The law should apply to all of us equally and also equally protect us.
We did not even spare ourselves from the scrutiny of the law. This is because we have spent a lot of time exposing wrongdoing. When accusations are brought against us, we should have no problem letting them be investigated in full. This does not deprive us, like everyone else, of our right to defend ourselves. We will do so with all the vigour that we can master.
We are saying this because we believe that it is important for our people to understand that the law is for all of us. It is for the good of our nation, it would be wrong for an impression to be created, or even a practice to develop where those who occupy important positions in our society are never held to account. They use all sorts of immunities to run away from being made to account or to explain their decisions and actions.
Last week, Tetamashimba, in a letter copied to us, challenged Sylvia Masebo to account for her role in various transactions at her former ministry - the Ministry of Local Government and Housing. Masebo’s response was to request Rupiah to allow her to talk.
While we respect Masebo’s approach as rational and professional, we believe that her integrity has been called into question. Waiting for Rupiah who may be involved in some of the issues that she has to comment about to permit her to talk is naïve. It doesn’t make sense because Rupiah will never authorise her to speak freely and truthfully on what she knows.
Rupiah is at the centre of the corruption of his government. And to borrow Abraham Lincoln’s phrase, the buck in all these issues stops here - at Rupiah. It is Rupiah’s integrity that is in question. In all these transactions, if this approach stands, it is Rupiah who is being investigated because the buck stops at him.
We need to move beyond the kind of patronage that we see in Dr Miti’s letter. Rupiah and his friends need to understand that our people expect more from them than what they are doing. Finger-pointing and political mud-slinging should not divert our law enforcement agencies from the real issues. Monies have been stolen, funds have been misappropriated. All those who are found wanting should be held to account. No friendship, no political patronage. This is what will purify our country and build it into a strong nation of decent and upright leaders and citizens.
If we have any role to play in this, it is that: we will not defend wrongdoing from anyone regardless of their friendship with us, their past record of public service or good doing.
We will also not shy away from denouncing wrong because some of Rupiah’s people are saying we are trying to deflect attention from ourselves over the Zambian Airways issue. It is not us investigating the Zambian Airways issue; it is them and the policemen under their control who are doing it. Let them gather all the evidence they need, arrest us and take us to court. We have said this before, and we say it again, no wrongdoing from anyone, including ourselves should be tolerated. If we have done anything wrong, arrest us and prosecute us. Let our law enforcement officers deal with all crimes regardless of who is behind them or when the crimes were committed.
Labels: PATRONAGE
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There’s need for transformation of politics – Mwenye
Written by Gillian Namungala
Monday, January 05, 2009 6:11:47 PM
FORMER Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) honorary general secretary Musa Mwenye has said there is need for a radical transformation of politics in the country.
Mwenye, who said most problems in the country emanated from the direct or indirect abuse of political patronage, added that the transformation of the country's politics could influence national affairs.
“From my honest assessment, most problems in the country are as a result of heavy political patronage, which affects a lot of national affairs,” Mwenye said.
Mwenye further advised President Rupiah Banda to play a critical role in transforming Zambia's politics before leaving office.
“The legacy that President Banda can leave is a transformed nation in the way politics are conducted,” he said.
And Mwenye called on the government to be proactive in finding solutions to the current economic problems in the country.
Mwenye said time for honeymoon was over for President Banda's government, saying there was need to adequately come up with strategies aimed at protecting the economy from huge economic problems.
“Each government is entitled to honeymoon after election but now the honeymoon is over for this government, now it's time to work in addressing economic challenges,” Mwenye said.
And Mwenye said Zambians should turn a keen eye on the constitution-making process.
Mwenye said despite misgivings over the National Constitutional Conference (NCC), it was fair that the members of the NCC were given chance to conduct their work.
He added that it would be good for members of the NCC to prove wrong those who had been sceptical about the constitution-making process for the benefit of the country.
Mwenye however said anything that would fall short of the recommendations of the Mung'omba constitution would be tantamount to a waste of national resources.
“If the NCC fails, NCC members will bear the collective blame for failing to put up a good constitution,” said Mwenye.
Labels: GOVERNANCE, LAZ, MUSA MWENYE, NCC, PATRONAGE, POLITICS
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