Zambia: Netizens Weigh in on Fight Against Corruption · Global Voices
Soneka Kamuhuza

The cry for change has been resonating in Zambia for a while and now that Michael Sata‘s Patriotic Front (PF) party has dethroned the decades long reign of the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD), Zambia appears headed in a new direction. What seems to be of great interest, is the single-minded focus of the new government in dealing with corruption. Zambians are abuzz every day with some new leaks, revelations or insinuations.
Former politicians are crying foul over what they feel is a witch-hunt. In addressing the investigations into the sale of Zamtel, Zambia's premier telecommunications company, by the former government, former Vice President George Kunda stated, “It is unprecedented to appoint six commissions, and we don't know how many more are still coming. That is fault-finding.”
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is the agency that leads the fight against corruption in Zambia. Image courtesy of E-hustling Visual.
In the meantime, indigenous Zambians are crying for blood and netizens are weighing in.
@lwangamwilu said:
Some people miraculously acquired wealth in 3 years in office, let them be investigated – Milupi #Zambia
@itayics added:
Crikey! RT @livilodge: RT @sandaykc: FLASH: Zambia’s telecom firm, ZAMTEL illegally sold to Libya’s Lap Green. #Zambia #Libya
With some former leaders being arrested, Dora Siliya, the former minister of information in Rupiah Banda's government, was called in for interviews and some Zambians ponder how long it will be before she is arrested.
What seems to be at the heart of this investigation is the procurement of various materials including hundreds of bicycles, by the former ruling party to be used in the recent elections.
@stevenputter tweeted:
#Zambia, 1000 bicycles “for personal use” thought it was only God that could be in more than one place at a time, no wonder investigated
@stevenputter explained why it is difficult to fight corruption in Zambia:
@livilodge problems are with why laws and systems are made in #Zambia to begin with, they try and prevent corruption with laws, not working
Even former President Banda's sons are part of the inquiry. @sandaykc wrote:
Ex-President RB's sons Henry & Nenani to be investigated over father's campaign funds. Duo to appear before investigators this week #Zambia
Another tweep wondered whether the government investigate the source of Zambian precious stones on ebay:
@mwanabibi: I don't know if they are smuggled out of Zambia but all our precious stones seem to be on Ebay coming from India @rphoenixzambia
What about corruption the Zambian style?:
Only in #zambia do people bury K2.1 billion. At least he delayed the process of getting caught. Such corruption!
The fight against corruption seems to be getting deeper as Zambian authorities continue to seize and question anyone they believe has information that is relevant to misuse of public funds. The Zambia Post reported recently that, “ATTORNEY General Mumba Malila says police seized over 80 MMD vehicles because they were procured using public funds.”
It is clear that there is much more digging to be done and the drama is far from over as PF has not even sharpened its teeth as it establishes new order in Zambian politics.