By KAIKO NAMUSA-

GOVERNMENT has in the past two years made important strides in fighting corruption to create a conducive environment for effective social and economic development, President Michael Sata has said.

Mr Sata has assured the nation and cooperating partners of Government’s resolve to continue prioritising the fight against corruption on its good governance agenda.

He posted on his Facebook page yesterday that upon assuming office, Government strengthened the anti-corruption legal framework through the introduction of the Anti-Corruption Act number three of 2012.

“The law re-introduced the Abuse of Authority Clause that had been removed by the previous Government.

“It further domesticated a number of provisions contained in the international conventions and protocols on corruption that Zambia is a party to,” he said.

The Head of State said Government had been fighting corruption to create an environment conducive for effective social and economic development, as well as improved service delivery to the people.

With regard to investigations and prosecutions, the President said in 2013, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) received a total of 1,987 reports out of which 425 cases were authorised for investigation.

He said by the end of 2013, there were a total of 902 cases being investigated while 205 had been concluded and closed.

Mr Sata said the Commission recorded 27 arrests countrywide, adding that 64 prosecutions cases were before the courts of law.

“The ACC secured 27 convictions and recorded 10 acquittals. Eight cases were withdrawn from court due to technicalities and 12 judgments were appealed against,” he said.

In 2012, the ACC received 2,337 reports and 484 cases were authorised for investigations.

The President said by the end of 2012, a total of 733 cases were under investigations while 89 prosecution cases were before the courts of law.

The ACC recorded 31 arrests countrywide during 2012, while 13 convictions and nine acquittals were recorded.