ALLEGATIONS by opposition United Progressive People (UPP) president Saviour Chishimba that some Government wings are embroiled in corruption should raise concern.
As a whistle-blowers Dr Chishimba’s observation needs serious attention.
The way I see it, relevant Government structures should take keen interest in the revelations of corruption especially that this was coming from an opposition political leader — a leader who should provide checks and balances to Government activities.
Dr Chishimba is a good candidate to facilitate investigations on alleged corruption in public outfits hence need for the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) to take up the challenge to ensure successful prosecution of culprits engaged in the cancerous vice that threatens the moral fibre of our society.
Reacting to the draft charges, Chief Government spokesperson Kampamba Mulenga called on Dr Chishimba to provide evidence on his claims.
The government’s position is clear ; Dr Chishimba should not take the corruption accusation lightly since it is a matter that needs immediate attention to eradicate.
Ms Mulenga, who is Information and Broadcasting Services minister, said the Government was surprised by Dr Chishimba’s outbursts on departments such as the Ministry of Youth and Sport in which he once served.
Dr Chishimba, who was until 2015 the National Youth Development Council (NYDC) chairperson, an institution under the Ministry of Sport but whose board the Government dissolved the same year for alleged corruption.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) during the same period instituted investigations of alleged mismanagement of funds by the NYDC management led by Dr Chishimba.
Dr Chishimba quit the institution at the height of the graft allegations and formed UPP under whose ticket he contested presidential elections last year.
Ms Mulenga believes Dr Chishimba was better-placed to help the nation know what really transpired at the NYDC as the institution was probed for corrupt practices perceived to have occurred with him at its helm.
“Dr Chishimba was part of the Ministry of Sport during his reign at NYDC, so if he claims that the Ministry is corrupt, can he come out with evidence and exculpate himself.
“How does the ministry become corrupt now that he has left and corruption never existed when he was there?” she wondered.
Ms Mulenga urged Dr Chishimba to practise politics of substance if Zambians were to take his presidential ambitions for Plot One seriously.
In one way, failure to follow up revelations of corruptions in government somehow justifies the words of Anglo-Welsh philologist Sir William Jones who once said that power should always be distrusted; in whatever hands it is placed.
It has been proved historically that it is impossible to expect development in the midst of high levels of corruption.
However, despite the misgivings about Dr Chishimba’s whistle blowing, we must understand that he has a right to always keep us in the know on corrupt activities that he feels is going unpunished
This is the way I see it. The Government agencies charged with the mandate to curtail forms of corruption should seriously take up allegations charges regardless of where they are coming from.
Only then are we going to talk the same language with the concerns of the republican president Edgar Lungu.
It would be hypocritical to bury our heads in the sand like the proverbial ostrich and allow greedy individuals plunder public wealth at the expense of the majority suffering Zambians.
Where are other whistle-blowers who should take up the mantle of exposing such ills that keep the country underdeveloped.
So, the statement by Dr Chishimba that some Government wings are embroiled in corruption is testament enough that should be justified because allegation of such depth if ignored by law enforcement agents carry all the ingredients of denting the image of the country irreparably.
Zambians expect leaders to account for their actions through the courts of law.
For those in the dark, and others pretending not to know, there are some cases in Zambia where huge public funds have successfully been misapplied without laid down tender procedures being followed by those we extol as our representatives.
It is the hope of every Zambian that hints of corruption that have been forwarded to Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) and Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) should be followed up by these relevant bodies vested with powers to handle such cases.
Allegations of corruption in any sector of society is pertinent because never is a single hint on the vice so little to ignore.
Henrik Johan Ibsen, a major 19th-century Norwegian playwright, theatre director, and poet, believes the minority — when they speak of societal evil like corruption — are always right since the scourge affects them.
Dr Chishimba’s allegations of corruption in some Government wings should not be swept under the carpet but needs speedy attention to ensure zero-tolerance to such ills that stunt development and justifies criminality.