Former Ambassador to Ethiopia Emmanuel Mwamba has called for the immediate suspension of funding to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) by cooperating partners.
In a statement, Friday, Ambassador Mwamba stated that the ACC has been compromised and is no longer serving its constitutional mandate.
He declared that the institution has been manipulated to shield senior government officials accused of corruption.
The Ex-Diplomat emphasised that recent decisions by the ACC to clear cabinet ministers and mining companies of wrongdoing have undermined public trust.
Mwamba argued that donors, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and other agencies, must halt their technical and financial support.
He maintained that continued funding only empowers an institution that has abandoned credible investigations.
The Ex-Diplomat observed that the dissolution of the Musa Mwenye Board was a turning point in weakening the fight against corruption.
Ambassador Mwamba declared that the appointment of partisan figures to lead the ACC has eroded its independence.
He emphasised that Zambia’s democracy is shrinking as law enforcement agencies are used against political opponents.
The Ex-Diplomat argued that funding should only resume when credible leadership is restored and presidential interference ends.
In an interview, however, Governance and Development Advocates Zambia (GODAZA) insists the ACC needs more financial support to execute its mandate.
GODAZA Executive Director Elias Mulenga stated that withdrawing donor support would cripple the institution’s operations.
Mulenga declared that the ACC requires resources to investigate complex financial crimes and strengthen accountability.
He emphasised that reforms should focus on improving efficiency rather than cutting funding.
Mulenga argued that cooperating partners must continue supporting the ACC to ensure Zambia’s governance systems remain strong.
