By CHILA NAMAIKO-
TRADITIONAL leaders in Southern Province have called for collective efforts in the fight against corruption and Gender Based Violence (GBV).
The chiefs have since vowed not to tolerate people intending to acquire pieces of land in their chiefdoms through corrupt practices.
Chief Siachitema of Kalomo District said in Choma on Friday that corruption was a stumbling block in fostering national development.
He said at a workshop on the dissemination of the national Anti-Corruption policy for traditional leaders in the province organised by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) that people acquiring land corruptly should not be condoned.
“Corruption should not be tolerated because some people would want to bribe chiefs directly to acquire things when many years ago this never existed,” he said.
Chief Simwatachela and Chief Sipatunyana of Kalomo District also called for communal support towards Government’s agenda in fighting corruption and increasing cases of GBV in the country.
In his contribution, Chief Sinadambwe of Siavonga District urged his counterparts to take lead in involving their subjects in promoting integrity and accountability.
Chief Singani of Choma District called for unity of purpose among various stakeholders in supplementing Government’ efforts to get rid of graft in all economic sectors.
ACC Southern regional manager Mweemba Mwape said the workshop was important in highlighting chiefs’ role in the implementation of the policy with various strategies.
“It is for this reason that the national Anti-Corruption policy carries as one of the objectives, the need to facilitate the traditional leaders’ involvement in the social mobilisation against corruption,” she said.
She said chiefs as custodians of social values and norms in communities, they were better placed for social mobilisation against corruption and enhancement of good values that deter graft.
Deputy Provincial Permanent Secretary Douglas Ngimbu said corruption should not have a place in the country.
Mr Ngimbu said chiefs were closer to the people and should help Government in implementing effective policies to end corruption.