Cabinet has approved in principle, to the introduction of a Bill in Parliament, to amend the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Act No. 3 of 2012.
The approval was done on 19th and 20th September, 2024, during 17th (Special) Cabinet Meeting in the Year 2024, called by President Hakainde Hichilema, to deliberate on the 2025 Draft Budget.
In a statement issued to RCV News in Lusaka today, Chief Government Spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa, said the amendment of the ACC Act is meant to align it with the objective of the National Policy on Anti-Corruption and the Constitution.
He said it is also meant to strengthen the legal framework for countering corruption and enhance corporate governance of the ACC.
“The current Anti-Corruption Act is inadequate in many areas, to effectively prevent, prosecute and punish corruption,” said Mr. Mweetwa.
He said Cabinet therefore decided to amend the current Act in order to address weaknesses by strengthening penalties, prevention, investigations and enforcement mechanisms against corruption and related crimes.
And Mr. Mweetwa said Cabinet approved the suspension of Customs Duty and Surtax on the importation of copper cathodes to make copper cathodes sell to local copper processors at a price lower than the London Metal Exchange (LME) price.
He also said Cabinet approved the Draft 2025 National Budget, with the overall aim of growing the economy due to the drought, alongside resumption of external debt payments.
By Eva Hatontola
