LUSAKA – Vice President Mutale Nalumango has told Parliament that the government has evidence of corruption that took place under the Patriotic Front (PF) regime.
Yesterday during the Deputy Speaker’s Question Time in Parliament, MP Kabushi PF accused President Hakainde Hichilema and Nalumango of alarming the nation by claiming that some people stole money and hid it to Dubai.
“His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, has alerted the people of Zambia in many forums that ‘we are collecting your money and property’.
“And you, Madam Vice President, told the people of Zambia that ‘your property and your money – telling the people of Zambia – that [they] are in Dubai,'” Lusambo said.
“The people of Kabushi constituency want to know how much money is in Dubai and in real estate. Who brought the money to Dubai and from which ministry was the money stolen?”
In her response, Vice President Nalumango said there was no concern for the nation.
“This government is a government of laws. He will not victimize anyone. And when prompted, just provide your location.
“And if you’re as innocent as my son wants people to believe, you should be able to say, oh, someday the truth has got to come out,” she said.
“We do not intend, Madam President, to alarm the nation. We do not intend to lie. We have evidence that we should find witnesses for – some people know that. But if you keep talking about it, maybe you should be on the survey list.
She said what was alarming was the flaws that were rampant in the administration of the PF.
Vice President Nalumango prayed that Lusambo would be innocent.
“What has been said is said. There is nothing alarming about that. What is happening in our country is alarming. Our concern for the honorable member of Kabushi, I pray that he is most innocent, is that the investigation is still ongoing,” she added.
“Sometimes we prefer to talk a bit about the principle of the method we have used as the government of Hakainde Hichilema, that those who have done wrong have had ample time to show themselves.
“Show remorse to the Zambian people and tell us exactly what happened. The investigation is ongoing and the truth will soon come out in court.
Vice President Nalumango called on those who served in the previous government to examine themselves.
“What people need to understand is that we don’t want to do half the investigation and run to court and start not prosecuting properly.
“The investigation is ongoing and what speaks is the heart of their faith. Each person, each of us, must do some introspection and be able to say, ‘I am innocent,'” she declared.
Using a Bemba adage, Vice-President Nalumango cautioned Lusambo against claiming innocence even before anyone had pointed a finger at him.
“The Honourable member for Kabushi who speaks a language very close to what I speak: imbila ya mushi tabaiyankula (in a village you do not respond to an announcement that is not specific).
“I am sure my young brother [Pambashe PF member of parliament Ronald] Chitotela there understands. Uwayankula euyowine (whoever responds is the guilty one); that is the way you end this,” Vice-President Nalumango said as Lusambo sheepishly smiled.
“I am sure he knows that I’m not lying. These are things that are being said. If in the village somebody says, ‘somebody has bewitched my son’ and you stand up and say ‘you are talking about me’.
“Everybody will say, ‘ha, so it is that one’! You never, never respond when you are innocent. In fact, you should also be worried of this and say, ‘ha, such things were happening!’ We’ll soon find out.”
She called for calm adding that no one was alarming anyone.
“People should remain calm, remain cool. As long as your heart is innocent, Madam Speaker, there’s no need for any panic or to ask questions about alarming,” said Vice-President Nalumango.
“If you don’t know the truth, why should you feel it’s alarming? You should actually feel that, ‘ha, so there’s somebody’, rather than say this is alarming. Alarming who?”
And Kalabo UPND member of parliament Chinga Miyutu asked if government would consider granting amnesty to those that would wilfully handover stolen property to the State.
“The people of Zambia and the people of Kalabo would like to find out from you, the Honour, on behalf of the government whether in relation to this issue of acquiring properties believed to be proceeds of corruption and other bad vices,” said Miyutu.
“Has the government any intention to issue or offer amnesty to those who feel like it has been stated that they feel they’re part and parcel of this condition of corruption and that they have acquired what they have corruptly?
“Is there any intention to offer amnesty so that they surrender wilfully (sic) and they are just let to go without prosecution?”
Vice-President Nalumango responded in the affirmative, but with caution.
“…But we have said there is amnesty for those that voluntarily come. If you are found after investigation, it will be discretionary.
“I hope I’m saying something here. It is not like if you are caught up then we start negotiating amnesty. This is the time for people to use that opportunity.
“If you are caught up, indeed crime is crime, it should be prosecutable, if there’s such a term,” said Vice-President Nalumango.
“But if you reduce on all these, you want to fight even when you have no strength to fight, then the law will take its course. If there is any such a thing proved by law, then.
“We are not saying everybody, even when you are caught then there is amnesty, no, that is not what it means. It’s not general for anybody at any time.”
