Minister of Information and Digitalization Moses Kunkuyu has challenged the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) to release progress of corruption cases and arrests that have been made through the body’s investigations.
Speaking at Kaphatenga Primary School Ground in Salima on Monday during the commemoration of the 2024 International Anti-Corruption Day, Kunkuyu said the public has the right to be updated on the progress of corruption cases that the body embarks on.
“It is always in the public domain when a person is arrested for corruption but such cases are not followed up,” he said adding the public always holds ACB to account for every arrest made.
“Funds that are pumped at ACB are not meant for internal expenditures such as training and allowances but to pursue corruption cases until suspects are convicted,” he added.
On his part, Acting Director General for ACB, Hillary Chilomba pointed out delays in remitting funds to the body even after receiving funding from the Treasury as one of their biggest challenge in the smooth operations of its services.
Chilomba also said many people are not coming forward to report corruption, describing it as a step backwards in the fight against corruption.
“People should not be scared of reporting corruption cases, no one is above the law, once a person reports a corruption case to us we will protect their identity, what we want is to be receiving reports from across the country,” he said.
He also encouraged citizens to provide checks and balances on public institutions, especially at the district level when it comes to budgets and development projects.
“Every citizen has a role to play for the country to progress, the corruption fight should not be left to a selected few people, each citizen must be vigilant to follow cases of corruption,” he said.
This year’s International Anti-Corruption Day is being held under the theme “reporting corruption a duty for all.”
