Zambian President, Hakainde Hichilema, has revealed that Zambian courts can now prosecute corruption cases within five months, touting it as a major step in the fight against corruption.
Hichilema, who made the promise in a statement issued in Lusaka on Wednesday through the Secretary to to the Cabinet, Patrick Mulenga, also stated that the country would no longer find itself in a crisis situation where the debt levels would become so unsustainable and a burden the treasury.
In the statement, Hichilema noted that the country’s huge debt had burdened the treasury and hindered government’s ability to serve its citizens effectively. He warned that “government would not tolerate such circumstances, neither would it tolerate corruption or the theft of public resources.”
“Part of our commitment to fighting corruption is the judiciary’s enhanced capacity to prosecute cases within a space of five months and more will be done to bring down the scourge,” Hichilema said in the statement.
He called for prudence in the management of resources across all ministries and government departments, adding that his administration had an enhanced opportunity to grow the economy under a new image, and to return investor confidence in the post-debt restructuring era.
He assured that law enforcement and prosecution authorities would act swiftly against those who would choose to engage in corrupt practices and abuse their authority.
“Our message to would-be offenders is clear. You are on your own if your break the law, regardless of your political affiliation, ethnicity or status,” Hichilema reiterated.
He emphasized that Zambia had began a new chapter in history following the successfully completion of the debt restructuring process.
“Over the past two years and six months, we relentlessly engaged in complex negotiations with our official creditors, as well as private creditors, which includes the bondholders,” Hichilema said, noting that the efforts had led to an agreement to restructure the debt over an extended period and for a lesser amount, saving the country and its treasury billions of dollars.
“We cannot ignore the fact that the unsustainable debt situation that we inherited, was brought about by exorbitant expenditure, mismanagement of public resources, maladministration and indeed, corruption.
“My government remains steadfast and committed to improving the lives of all the citizens.
“Our better days are ahead of us and we call on all our citizens to support this agenda for the betterment of our country,” he concluded.