NDC challenges Lungu to Fire Chitotela if he is serious about graft fight
By Staff Reporter
Opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has challenged President Edgar Lungu to immediately fire Housing and Infrastructure minister Ronald Chitotela to prove his commitment in fighting corruption.
Party Secretary General Mwenya Musenge said the NDC is also demanding for the dismissal of the ministry permanent secretary Charles Mushota to allow for unhindered interrogation of the duo by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
“Our demand to have the top Government officials removed follows the interrogation of the duo by ACC yesterday. As NDC, we feel that the two officials might interfere with vital evidence linked to the ongoing investigations if they do not vacate office,” said Musenge
“Further, it is immoral for the two senior officials to remain in office because the offence that they are facing is a very serious one, President Lungu has always pride himself to be a champion of the corruption crusade and if indeed Lungu abhors corruption, he should demonstrate leadership and fire the two named officials”.
Musenge said President Lungu in his address to Parliament last week, the latter passionately spoke about graft and good governance and the whole nation was now anxiously waiting to see action.
“The dismissal of the two officials will further give more room to the ACC to conduct their probe into allegations of abuse of office by the named officers, if Messer Chitotela and Mushota are not fired, members of the public will cast doubt on Mr. Lungu’s anti-corruption crusade,” said Musenge .
He added that there were already doubts cast about President Lungu’s commitment to the fight against corruption.
“President Lungu now has a chance to come out straight and clean his name in this regard. As NDC, we want the ACC to move a step further and take the corruption investigations to State House,” he said
Musenge also said they have been overwhelming indications that the inner circle of President Lungu is extremely corrupt.
“As NDC, we praise the ACC for pursuing Chitotela and his associates, we have all the confidence that the ACC will thread well in this matter,” he said
