Copperbelt DPS Urges Civil Servants to Live Within Their Means, Shun Corruption
Copperbelt Deputy Permanent Secretary (DPS) Daniel Kamenga has urged civil servants to live within their means and resist engaging in corrupt activities. He emphasized that while salaries in the public sector may be modest, integrity must remain a priority.
Mr. Kamenga made these remarks on Tuesday when a delegation from the Ministry of Justice, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Zambia, and Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) paid a courtesy call on him and handed over copies of the National Policy on Anti-Corruption to the Provincial Administration.
He acknowledged the financial challenges civil servants face, noting that their earnings are often insufficient for major investments such as building houses, unless they access legitimate loans.
“Civil servants’ salaries are low, and there is little you can do with them. You can’t even build a house unless you engage in dubious deals or take a bank loan. But even with a loan, your borrowing limit is restricted based on your salary,” he said.
Mr. Kamenga also highlighted the need to combat corruption in the private sector, particularly in the smuggling of mealie meal, a growing concern in the region. He revealed that his office had reported several cases to the ACC and shared a personal account of rejecting a bribe from a transporter whose truck was impounded for smuggling the staple commodity.
“Corruption should also be fought in the private sector. A lot of corruption happens there. ACC should not just focus on the public sector but extend efforts to private businesses as well,” he stressed.
Receiving the National Policy on Anti-Corruption on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Kamenga described it as a crucial tool in Zambia’s fight against graft. He commended President Hakainde Hichilema for his strong stance on corruption, expressing hope that the policy would help Zambia improve its Corruption Perception Index (CPI) ranking and attract greater international confidence.
However, he cautioned that without proper implementation, the policy would remain ineffective, stressing the importance of collective commitment in ensuring its success.
“I want this policy to succeed, but for the corrupt, it is a distraction, and they will always fight back,” he said.
In his closing remarks, ACC Copperbelt Regional Manager, Mr. Chola Kasongo, urged all stakeholders to actively participate in the implementation of the policy, emphasizing that its success depends on coordinated efforts across different sectors.
