Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has taken the extraordinary step of dismissing the entire board of the country’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) after they were accused of corruption, which they vehemently deny.
This move follows the recent resignation of ACC head Thom Shamakamba, who, along with the country’s solicitor-general Marshal Muchende, was accused of accepting kickbacks. Both men strongly deny the allegations.
Since coming to power three years ago, President Hichilema’s administration has been actively investigating officials from the previous government accused of graft.
The new, explosive allegations claim that ACC officials have been receiving payments from politicians under investigation in exchange for amnesty.
The whistleblower, former ACC board member O’Brien Kaaba, highlighted these concerns, stating, “Going by press reports, ACC, for example, has made legally senseless settlements immunising some of the most corrupt individuals, thereby shielding them from justice and accountability.”
He further criticised the continuation of “immunity deals” under the current government, suggesting that the entire institution is compromised.
Mr. Kaaba’s revelations have led to a defamation lawsuit from Mr. Muchende, with potential for more legal actions from other implicated figures.
A statement from Zambia’s presidency justified the board’s dissolution as necessary “to renew the Anti-Corruption Commission’s sacred mandate.” The announcement of Mr. Shamakamba’s resignation, issued by State House, has fueled speculation that he might have been fired.
