The Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) has issued a pastoral letter commending the government’s ongoing efforts to fight corruption, recognizing significant progress made in improving the country’s position on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). The bishops praised the government’s pursuit of corruption cases involving former officials from the Patriotic Front (PF) administration, noting that such actions are encouraging steps toward addressing corruption at high levels.
In their letter, the Catholic leaders emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability, particularly regarding assets being forfeited as part of anti-corruption efforts. They urged that these assets be used responsibly and for the benefit of all Zambians, ensuring that the process remains both fair and transparent.
ZCCB also recommended several reforms to further strengthen the fight against corruption. These included proposed amendments to the Anti-Corruption Act to enhance its effectiveness. The bishops called for longer prison sentences for corruption offenses and suggested that the process for appointing the Director General of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) be more rigorous. Specifically, they proposed that such appointments require a two-thirds majority in Parliament to ensure they are made with careful scrutiny.
However, the Catholic leaders expressed concern over a rise in corruption within government ranks, as highlighted by recent reports from the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) and other agencies. Despite these reports, the bishops noted that senior government officials appeared to be shielded from prosecution. In response, they urged President Hakainde Hichilema to take immediate action by suspending any public officials under investigation, preventing them from interfering with ongoing legal processes.
In addition to addressing corruption, the ZCCB acknowledged the government’s efforts in other areas. They lauded the large-scale recruitment of teachers, healthcare workers, and security personnel, seeing this as a vital move to alleviate poverty and improve public services across the country. Furthermore, the bishops welcomed the government’s recent debt restructuring deal with international creditors, which, although not a debt cancellation, provides relief by rescheduling payments, reducing interest, and freeing up funds for vital social sector expenditure.
While commending these efforts, ZCCB continued to call for transparency and the fair use of resources, urging the government to remain vigilant in tackling corruption at all levels. Their remarks reflect both support for the positive steps taken and a call for continued vigilance to ensure that the progress made benefits all Zambians equally.
