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UPND Media Director Ruth Dante
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Email: upndhq@gmail.com
PRESS RELEASE
ZAMBIANS APPLAUD HH’S VALIANT FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION
Lusaka, (23 July 2024 )– President Hakainde Hichilema’s recent measures display his steadfast dedication to eliminating corruption in Zambia, marking a significant turning point in the United Party for National Development’s (UPND) anti-corruption campaign.
President Hichilema’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption contrasts sharply with the previous administration’s approach.
Under the PF administration, the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) faced intense opposition and criticism after exposing major corruption and misappropriation of public funds in 2018 and 2019 Trend Reports. Notably, then-Director General Mary Chirwa and other FIC officials were attacked, leading to a decline in the FIC’s effectiveness and morale. The PF administration mocked the FIC’s efforts and accused it of producing incomplete data.
The FIC’s 2018 report revealed financial crimes costing K6.1 billion, while the 2020 report showed corruption costing K2.2 billion. Due to the PF’s attacks, FIC was forced to operate more quietly, facing intense scrutiny and criticism. The former president and other government entities, including the Ministries of Finance and Information, undermined FIC’s goals and demoralized its personnel.
In contrast, President Hichilema has taken decisive actions to restore integrity and transparency in the FIC’s operations.
He relieved the Director General of the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMMSA) of his duties and dissolved the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to bring fresh ideas and energy to these crucial areas.
He also made cabinet changes, including swapping the Minister of Health with the Minister of Lands.
These actions reflect President Hichilema’s determination to tackle corruption head-on and revitalize the institutions tasked with fighting it.
Unlike the PF administration, which undermined the FIC through government interference, President Hichilema’s policies promote accountability and transparency.
He has vowed to wage an unrelenting war on corruption, stating, “You are on your own,” to anyone involved in corrupt practices, regardless of their political affiliation.
President Hichilema’s commitment to fighting corruption is also evident in his dedication to ACC reform and ensuring the timely release of the 2023 FIC report.
With the departure of the ACC Director General and the extension of the agency’s mandate, a new chapter in the fight against corruption has begun. These firm actions are expected to reduce corruption in Zambia and rebuild confidence in the government.
As the UPND, we applaud President Hichilema for his unwavering opposition to corruption and his efforts to ensure the independence of the FIC and ACC.
While the fight against corruption is challenging, we are hopeful that President Hichilema’s commitment and decisive actions will have a significant impact on Zambia’s anti-corruption crusade.
UPND Media Team
Pure nonsense.
Ba upnd media ngokwikalafye ziii. Every sentence has pf this pf that and you think you are making sense to zambians. You defeated pf in 2021 with a very big margin of 1 million but you seem and sound like upto now you are not sure how the victory came about. You are so threatened by pf existence so much that you have forgotten that power is with the ordinary zambians and not pf. PF did not give you the authority to preside over our affairs no it’s the ordinary zambians who gave you the authority. So please concentrate on working for people and forget about pf. You don’t even need to talk too much and write long articles like brother simuwe about your achievements and alleged pf failures no no just work and people will know and appreciate you. If you fail again people will remove you from power thats so.
Honestly speaking this lady is suffering from dementia or imposter syndrome. Look at face she has no shame. She can lie and go home to her children and tell them what? She is not a role model for her children, family neither anyone. HH is the most hard core corrupt communist leader.