Transparency International Zambia Chapter (TIZ) has applauded the decision by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to arrest Minister of Health Dr. Chitalu Chilufya for being in possession of property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.
Chapter President, Reuben Lifuka told Money FM News in a statement that it is the hope of the organization that the necessary ground work has been done and there is a good basis to pursue the course of action.
“Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) would like to welcome the decision by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to arrest Minister of Health Dr. Chitalu Chilufya. It is our fervent hope that the necessary ground work has been done and there is a good basis to pursue this course of action,” he said.
Mr Lifuka said the organization recognizes that Dr Chilufya has an opportunity to mount his defence before the courts of law and seek to clear his name.
“We do recognize henceforth that Honorable Chilufya now has an opportunity to mount his defence before the courts of law and seek to clear his name,” he noted.
He said the decision, like many others in the past, should be in the furtherance of the ideals of entrenching transparency and accountability in the discharge of public service.
He further called on President Edgar Lungu to consider relieving Dr Chilufya of his duties and allow him to focus on his defence.
“In order to ensure that the prosecution and conduct of this matter is above board, we again call on President Edgar Lungu to consider relieving the Minister of Health of his duties and allow him first and foremost, to focus on his defence and secondly, to insulate his own government from unfortunate distractions which this case may present if the said Minister remains in his office,” Mr Lifuka said.
He noted that TI-Z, will follow the case with keen interest and we hope that the ACC will be allowed to prosecute this case to its full conclusion.
Yesterday the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) arrested Minister of Health Dr. Chitalu Chilufya for being in possession of property reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime.
Confirming the development to Money FM News, Commission Corporate Affairs Officer, Jonathan Siame says Dr. Chilufya, 47, of House number 4, Robert Kennedy Close, Off Brentwood Avenue, in Lusaka, has been charged with four counts of possession of property reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime contrary to section 71 sub section 1 of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act No. 19 of 2010.
Mr. Siame says the arrest follows investigations the Commission has been conducting against the Minister in relation to the foresaid allegations.