Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
President Lungu poses for a photo after the swearing in ceremony for new Ministers
President Edgar Lungu President Edgar Lungu says he has received reports linking some Ministers to corrupt activities.
President Lungu has since warned that he will not hesitate to relieve the said Ministers of their duties even before they are investigated by the Anti Corruption Commission.
Speaking when he swore-in five newly appointed ministers at State house this morning, President Lungu warned them against falling prey to corrupt activities.
He noted that corrupt activities were not just being committed at Ministerial level but even at lower levels of government.
President Lungu wondered how some people had amassed property rapidly at the expense of poor Zambians.
He says it is appalling to see huge amounts of money being credited to some bank accounts regularly.
President Lungu has also warned against illegal allocation and acquisition of land using political influence and other illegal activities.
Meanwhile, the President has taken a swipe at the Anti Corruption Commission for being inept because of their failure to prosecute corruption cases.
He speculated that perhaps the ACC was used to a situation where they are directed on what to do and who to pursue.
President Lungu wondered why the ACC no longer availed reports to the Office of the President as was the case before, when they were so many corrupt activities which were being conducted with impunity.
The President also noted that it was difficult to act against some Constitution Office bearers on matters of corruption because they were bound by the Constitution.
The new Ministers sworn-in include Mpika Central Member of Parliament Sylvia Chalikosa as Minister in the Office of the Vice President, Mpulungu lawmaker Freedom Sikazwe as Presidential Affairs Minister, Chingola Central MP Mathew Nkhuwa as Works and Supply Minister replacing Ronald Chitotela who has been transferred to the Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure Development.
Others sworn-in are Matero Lawmaker Mulenga Kazhiya as Water and Sanitation Minister and Pastor Godfridah Sumaili as Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs.
President Lungu has since charged the new ministers to keep a clean record and avoid engaging in corrupt practices or he will not hesitate to dismiss them.