THE UPND is demanding for the immediate resignation of Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) commissioner Alitah Mbahwe as her integrity has been compromised for siding with criminals. UPND director policy and research Dr Choolwe Beyani stated that the party found the stance taken by Mbahwe on the revelations of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIC) inexcusable as it defeats the essence, objectives, and mission of the organisation she leads.
Dr Beyani stated that assertions by the DEC commissioner that the publication of unverified information by the FIC jeopardises investigations and fuels speculation were unfounded and misleading.
“The FIC Act No.4 of 2016 section 5 (2) (e) mandates FIC to inform the public on the Money Laundering and Terrorists Financing Trends. The same section (5) provides for the FIC to disseminate suspicious transactions to competent authorities for investigation and prosecution,” he stated. “As number one fighter against money laundering and corruption in the country, Mrs Mbahwe should be telling the nation what steps the Commission has taken over 80 cases forwarded for investigation and prosecution by the FIC.”
Dr Beyani stated that it was worrying that Mbahwe seems to be supporting those reported to have stolen from the people of Zambia which act constitutes admission of failure on her part.
He stated that Mbahwe’s reasoning that the release of the FIC trends reports, especially the one for 2018, fuels gossip and speculation was unprofessional and undermines her integrity in the fight against financial crimes as highlighted by FIC.
“As a seasoned professional, Mrs Mbahwe should have spoken the truth so that she can be of help to the political leadership of this country. It is our considered view that her statement actually fuels the perception that Zambia is now seen as a haven for fraudsters, money-launderers, corruption masters and plunderers,” Dr Beyani stated.
“It is sad that at a time that a day hardly passes without matters bordering on financial crimes making headlines in the national and foreign press, the DEC boss would side with the wrongdoers. What would have been expected from the DEC boss was probably for her to ask for increased funding to the Commission to enable it deal with the 80 cases that have been forwarded to it for investigation and prosecution.”
He stated that Mbahwe’s statement that some foreigners named in the FIC report have bolted from the country was confirmation that actually what the Centre reported were genuine financial crimes.
“We challenge her to name those that have since fled the country and invite the International Police to trail them. It is worrying that out of the three investigative and prosecution units of government, it is only the DEC boss who has come out dismissing the report. Her comments are tantamount to defending those accused of stealing from the Zambian people,” Dr Beyani stated.
“Mrs Mbahwe is completely out of order to command the FIC to stop publicising its Trends Report in the manner it has done because FIC is empowered by an Act of Parliament. The 2018 FIC Trends Report revealed an increase in suspicious transactions involving corruption and money laundering from K4.5 billion in 2017 to K6.1 billion in 2018. We therefore demand for her immediate resignation as her integrity has been compromised for siding with criminals.”
He stated that going by her remarks and association with some individuals named in the report, the nation would not be surprised to learn that Mbahwe was one of those named in the FIC 2018 report.
“As a party, we also challenge independent and professional staff at the Commission to investigate and prosecute those named in all the previous Trends reports. A UPND government in office will follow up all the cases revealed by the FIC reports that Mrs Mbahwe has been sitting on and ensure that justice is done,” said Dr Beyani.
