Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) has described as extremely unbearable the acquittal of former Ministry of Health Human Resources Officer Henry Kapoko and 7 others on 21 counts of theft of K4 million and money laundering.
TIZ Executive Director Goodwell Lungu in a statement made available to QFM News says it is a well established fact in the minds of Zambians that K4 million was indeed allegedly stolen at the Ministry of Health and that it difficult to come to terms and pre-suppose that all that colossal amount just disappeared in thin air in view of the fact that all the accused who worked at the Ministry of Health have been acquitted and only someone who was outside the Ministry was convicted.
Mr Lungu says although his organization respects the Judiciary, it finds the judgment unbearable.
He says TIZ calls upon the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to vigorously pursue a very well focused appeal aimed at not only demonstrating how the Magistrate could have misdirected herself but also look at modalities of recovering the lost funds.
Mr Lungu adds that TIZ’s legal team is currently studying the judgment and will offer free advice to the ACC on how to handle the appeal.
Meanwhile Mr Lungu says TIZ welcomes the upholding of the conviction of Former Sports Deputy Minister Steven Masumba by High Court Judge Chalwe Mchenga.
He says this will send a good signal in making leaders account for their actions.
Mr Lungu states that TIZ commends Judge Mchenga and ACC Prosecutors for dispensing justice without fear or favor on this matter.
He has since advised the Patriotic Front leaders to always lead by example and to be accountable for their actions and remain above board all the time and learn from Masumba’s conviction.