By Diggers Editor, OPINION
THE response from Transparency International-Zambia (TIZ) to our editorial opinion on the Faith Musonda case makes good reading. They raise interesting points and we agree with them that this is a matter that deserves extensive public discourse.
We have observed that the difference between TIZ’s arguments and the News Diggers position is that the NGO is speaking from a legal and logic point of view. Everything that they cite in their response to our editorial opinion maybe correct at law but they are assuming many things and speculate about why the ACC acted the way it did.
Unlike TIZ, News Diggers is speaking from an informed position. We are in the business of investigating and gathering information. We know what transpired in this case. If we didn’t, we would simply keep quiet and watch. The Faith Musonda matter is very sad for Zambia and if our people knew where that money came from, what it was meant for and how it found itself in a house said to belong to Faith Musonda, they would be more heartbroken and angry about how this matter has been dealt with.
Zambians have not been told the truth about this matter because it has very difficult facts to explain. If the Transparency International people want to test if what we are saying is true, let them call a meeting with the Anti Corruption Commission and ask them some questions.
Since the TIZ team is, by and large, speaking in defence of the decision made by the Anti-Corruption Commission, it should not be difficult for them to exchange information and facts around this case. TIZ should demand that ACC tells them the truth (even in confidence) so that they can defend the Anti-Corruption Commission better. It will be interesting to hear, what TIZ will say once they gets the full facts, will they will stick to their current position. Will they continue to defend the ACC or get angry with the whole system.
Let’s think for a moment. The Anti Corruption Commission is currently desperate to redeem itself. That is why you see them scavenging at Amos Chanda’s farm, even when they know that the man is probably even broke by now. They are desperate to impress because they know that their public image and reputation has gone down the drain. A case such as the one involving Faith Musonda should have been a piece of cake for them.
This is one of the easiest cases that for ACC prosecute any day. With the new leadership in place at ACC, they would have used this matter to build public confidence. Why have they not done so? This is not because Faith Musonda admitted to wrong doing, as they claim. This is not because Faith Musonda surrendered the money and the house. Our analysis tells us that they decided to take this route because of the trail that the money revealed and there discovery of who the real thieves are.
While we criticise the ACC and sometimes even condemn them, our displeasure in this Faith Musonda case is not exactly on the basis that they have FAILED to act. Our issue is that they are being used to coverup institutionalised crime that has done grave damage to our country in the past, and will continue to do so in future. When institutions that are supposed to be protecting our national security are doing the opposite, we all should get worried.
Our people still remember what happened in the matter of ZAMTROP Government Accounts. The Zamtrop type of abuse of public resources should never again happen in this country, especially not under President Hichilema. What has happened in this case is nonsense, it’s not what the people of Zambia voted for. This is why we are pushing for justice to be done on this matter, and we are doing our best to do so without saying what we are not allowed to say.
We are not calling for Faith Musonda’s blood. Faith is a nobody and we say this with all due respect to our sister. Faith does not have that kind of money. But assuming that she was indeed a business woman capable of having that kind of money, she would not be keeping it in 30 travelling bags at ‘her mansion’. Like we have stated, this is not about Faith. That lady is just a pawn on the chessboard, so our push on this matter must not be misunderstood as targeting her.
That is why we are asking the ACC to explain when and where they signed the so-called confession and forfeiture agreement with Faith. TIZ must ask the questions that we are asking. Who called the police to stop the nine hours interrogation on that day?
Is it the Edgar Lungu clique in government that intervened or the new dawn government under President Hakainde Hichilema? Was it the two leaderships deliberating over the matter and agreeing to end it this way after looking at the hard facts? Those are the questions for TIZ.
The people at ACC may fail to act professionally at times, but they are not foolish. There is no way they can let such a case slip off their hands. There is no way they can close a case like this one on that “forfeiture” basis without at least getting to the bottom of it. ACC is hungry for prosecutions and they need as many good cases as they can find. They know that one way of regaining good reputation is by winning cases in court, not receiving donations and confessions from criminals. But their hands are tied. Someone has given them a sedative and asked them to go to sleep on this money heist case.
This is a huge scandal and those who wish to give the ACC a benefit of the doubt are at liberty to do so, but at least they must demand to know the truth. TIZ has made very interesting arguments. Chizungu bakamba bwino, but ise tikamba vazoona.