As Civil Servants Cartel and Politicians Plunder

Much of the public discourse concerning the running of government, ministries and its support institutions has been on the the issue of financial mismanagement especially the embezzlement of tax payers money by the private sector, civil servants and politicians holding offices that grant them access to public funds. Civil servants involved in the schemes have formed highly organized cartels that are capable of circumventing all the financial accountability and security safeguards that are in place. The theft of ZMK10 billion from the Ministry of Health is a perfect example of the level of organization the civil servant plunderers have put together. The President hit the nail on the head when he stated that it is not possible for one person to steal K10 billion alone and that more are involved. Obviously, someone initiated a purchase order of some sort, another prepared a requisition, and signatures were appended along the chain until someone put the final seal of approval and a cheque or cheques were issued. The implication is that many people are conniving in such schemes to swindle the government of public funds and there is a high possibility that more money than hitherto uncovered may have been stolen.

It's not only the Civil Servants that are involved is embezzling government money but also government leaders. Some of them, as the media has reported before, undertake several unnecessary trips to their constituencies and never retire imprest on return. This is another form of corruption that needs to be addressed. Unfortunately, corruption has been extended to the National Constitution Commission (NCC) where commissioners are reported to be receiving their allowances without performing their duties. This explains why the Commission has been sitting for more than two years reviewing the constitution without anything to show for in order to continue defrauding government and defraud as much money as possible before they finalize the constitution. This goes to show that some of the men and women sitting on the NCC lack integrity and is the reason why they are resisting the inclusion of article(s) that would strengthen the law against corruption and financial indiscipline. 

Investigations on corruption must be extended to all the people that have constructed mansions in New Kasama and in many parts of Lusaka. Some of the people who now own the mansions are Civil Servants whose incomes can hardly afford them a one roomed shack. 

As corruption has worsened and become an institutionalized cartel, there is urgent need for all upright Zambians and other stakeholders to support President Rupiah Banda in the fight against corruption. It is very encouraging to note that the President desires to take the fight against corruption to a whole level. To enhance the fight against corruption, the President will be required to clean up such institutions as the judiciary, and the Zambia Police Service which is alleged to be one of the most corrupt institutions in the nation. Sweeping and more stringent changes to law are long overdue which changes would eventually transfer the burden of proof to the accused criminals. The Zambian government must urgently legislate new and stiffer laws and sentences that would act to effectively deter the would be plunderers. It must be emphasized that such laws would have to apply equally to the leadership as would to ordinary citizens.