Judiciary seems not to pull in same direction regards corruption fight-GEARS

Governance, Elections and Advocacy Research Services (GEARS) Initiative Zambia says the corruption fight can only succeed if institutions of governance work in close collaboration with one agenda of rooting out the vice in society.

GEARS Executive Director, McDonald Chipenzi, however, observes that institutions of governance such as the judiciary appear not to be pulling in the same direction with law enforcement agencies such as the DEC and ACC who have made several arrests of suspected corrupt elements.

Mr. Chipenzi says when the cases are taken to court after the arrests are made, it is up to the courts to ensure the suspects receive justice in the shortest possible time.

And Mr. Chipenzi wonders whether the fast track court on financial crimes is operational or not considering that suspects keep appearing before ordinary courts for financial related crimes.

He states that the longer it takes to dispose of the cases, the more the appetite to appreciate the fight against corruption will be lost.