Cracks emerge in Zambia’s bold anti-corruption commission as senior officials fall under graft spotlight

Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema dissolved the board of the country’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) board on 18 July. The presidency said this was “to renew the [ACC’s] sacred mandate” after claims that the commission had been captured by senior state legal team officials accused of graft.

The move came just days after Dr O’Brien Kaaba, an ACC board member, alleged that the commission had been captured by corrupt elements in government. He said the ACC’s management team, led by Thom Shamakamba, wasn’t moving forward with cases, including matters involving corruption claims against some of Hichilema’s legal team in the attorney-general’s chambers. Shamakamba resigned on 17 July.

Some observers are questioning Hichilema’s motives for the board’s dissolution. While the presidency maintains that the aim is to wipe the slate clean and start again, some believe he wanted to avoid having to investigate graft claims against senior government officials. This raises questions about his commitment to fighting corruption, which he pledged when he took office in 2021.

The current upset started in the first week of July when the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), Zambia’s government agency dealing with illicit financial flows relating to money laundering and terrorism financing, released its 2023 trends report. It revealed that corruption and the plunder of national resources under Hichilema’s “new dawn” government were rising compared with previous years. 

Instead of outlining a containment strategy, the government’s rationalisation of the FIC findings suggested a lack of commitment. Vice-President Mutale Nalumango told Parliament the figures reflected a devaluation of the local currency and increased inflation, rather than a spike in graft. Hichilema said it was unrealistic to think his administration could stem the tide in the relatively short period he had been in office, because many people lived off corruption.

Questions are now being asked about the president’s failure to move against senior officials who are increasingly being reported for graft. His solicitor-general, Marshal Muchende, has been accused of taking a $500,000 bribe from a former provisional liquidator. ACC communications head Timothy Moono confirmed that Muchende had been under investigation for over a year and that proceedings had reached an advanced stage. 

Hichilema has remained silent on these allegations, despite credible organisations like Transparency International (Zambia) calling for Muchende’s dismissal or resignation. Some see this as the president actively shielding him from investigation. Muchende says he won’t resign, feeding the impression that he’s immune from reproach. 

The ACC board’s dissolution compounds suggestions that Muchende is being protected from the law. Former ACC chairperson Musa Mwenye hinted at this in a 22 July statement. He said the state had frustrated ACC efforts to investigate government officials over the past three years. According to Mwenye, the government appointed a strong board to appear legitimate, but chose a pliant operational management team. 

In a revealing twist of events, Muchende instituted a defamation suit against Kaaba on 18 July. Yet Kaaba’s accusations haven’t mentioned him either by name or position. Muchende’s response smacks of intimidation, especially in the absence of presidential censure regarding the allegations against him. 

Data from the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) indicates that over the years Zambia has performed just above sub-Saharan Africa’s average, and ranks in the top third among its continental peers (see chart). This is nevertheless a low ranking that reflects the spread of corruption in the country. 

Corruption trends in Zambia according to the CPI (100 = best score)

Source: Transparency International