Minister of Finance and National Planning Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane has refuted allegations made by the African Parliamentary Network Against Corruption (APNAC) suggesting that he is being investigated secretly by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over corruption allegations.
Speaking during a media briefing in Lusaka on Tuesday, APNAC Secretary General Munir Zulu said Dr. Musokotwane and Minister of Infrastructure Charles Milupi are reportedly being investigated for allegedly receiving $250,000 each from a named contractor as kickbacks.
Mr. Zulu, the Lumezi Member of Parliament, said he had information from impeccable sources that the two Ministers had been secretly appearing before the ACC, and that State House was aware of the investigations.
But in a written media statement circulated by the Ministry of Finance Public Relations Unit on Wednesday morning, Dr. Musokotwane said he did not receive any payment either through bank accounts connected to him directly in cash or in any other illegitimate manner.
The Minister of Finance said he has not been summoned, interviewed as a suspect or questioned by the Anti-Corruption-Commission or any law enforcement agency in any corruption case.
Dr. Musokotwane has since threatened to seek appropriate statutory remedies for the injury caused to his character by Mr. Zulu.
“Allegations leveled against me by Mr. Munir Zulu in a video widely circulated on various communication and information platforms, have been brought to my attention. Mr. Munir Zulu, a Member of Parliament for Lumezi Constituency has stated in the circulating video that he was speaking as a member of the African Parliamentary Network Against Corruption (APNAC). Mr. Munir Zulu alleges that I and my counterpart from infrastructure have secretly been appearing before the Anti-Corruption-Commission, from whom he has demanded an update on the matter. He also asserts that I have received pecuniary benefit through a bank transfer from a source he has not named. I take great exception to this but assure the nation again that I have not received any such payment either through bank accounts connected to me, directly in cash or in any other illegitimate manner. I also assure the nation that I have NOT been summoned, NOT been interviewed as a suspect, and NOT been questioned by the Anti-Corruption-Commission or any law enforcement agency in any corruption case. I will seek appropriate statutory remedies for the injury caused to my character by Mr. Munir Zulu,” Dr. Musokotwane stated.
“As Minister of Finance and National Planning, I am a public official running a public office. In the course of my duties, my office remains accessible to various stakeholders both within the public sector and outside. It is important to note that law enforcement agencies, in the course of their duties, are free to invite any public official or otherwise to assist with information in an ongoing or planned investigation. They should not be deterred from doing that if it helps in establishing facts in a matter that they are pursuing. I take this opportunity to assure the public and stakeholders that in the course of implementing our economic transformation programme and helping to better the lives of Zambians, the Government will remain committed to transparency, accountability and the rule of law, now and in future,” he continued.
Dr. Musokotwane said he was on high alert and would not be derailed by such allegations.
“We have noted with concern, some schemes aimed at deterring us from focusing on sustaining the progress made in repairing the economy, bettering the lives of our citizens, and improving the country’s standing in the international community and strengthening cooperation with all stakeholders, local and foreign. We are on high alert and we will not be derailed,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kitwe’s Nkana Member of Parliament Binwell Mpundu has challenged State House and ACC to inform the public what they know about the corruption allegations leveled against the two cabinet ministers.
Mr. Mpundu said President Hakainde Hichilema must show that he means business in the fight against corruption by putting the two ministers on leave to pave way for investigations if the information revealed by APNAC was true.
“Earlier I informed you of the allegations made by Hon Bowman Lusambo in relation to corruption surrounding the Lusaka Ndola Dual carriageway. Well this afternoon Lumezi Member of Parliament Hon Munir Zulu has held a press briefing at Parliament and has alleged that Hon Musokotwane and Hon Milupi received bribes of $250,000 each over the Road. Honourable Zulu further alleges that the two have been appearing before ACC secretly and that state house is aware. He has further challenged ACC to deny this information. These allegations are huge and all that the Statehouse and ACC should do now is to inform the public what they know because silence will denote consent. For me all I can Say is that his Excellency the President must show that he means business in the fight against corruption by putting the two ministers on leave to pave way for investigations if this information is true,” Mr. Mpundu stated.
