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The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has clarified that its autonomy remains intact and is not contingent upon the appointment of its Board of Commissioners.
This clarification followed recent calls by Kanchibiya lawmaker, Sunday Chanda, for the immediate appointment of a new Board following the dissolution of the previous Musa Mwenya-led Board.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Tuesday, Timoothy Moono, Head of Corporate Communications at the ACC, addressed these concerns.
Moono stated that the Commission’s autonomy was guaranteed under the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012.
“The Commission wishes to state that in accordance with the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012, Section 5 provides for the autonomy of the Commission and states that the Commission shall not be subjected to the direction or control of any person or authority in the performance of its functions, subject only to the Constitution,” Moono said.
He further explained that the Act established the Board of Commissioners as the governing body of the Commission under Part 1 of the Schedule.
“The Act further provides for the establishment of the Board of Commissioners under Part 1 of the Schedule as the governing body of the Commission,” Moono stated.
He noted that while the Board provided policy and strategic direction, its role does not extend to the Commission’s daily operations.
“Further, considering that members of the Board of Commissioners are non-executive members and meet quarterly or as may be required, the Board is not involved in the daily operations of the Commission,” Moono said.
The day-to-day responsibilities are handled by the Director-General, with assistance from the Deputy Director-General, Directors, and other staff appointed by the Director-General.
Moono added that this clarification was necessary due to misunderstandings among some members of the public regarding the Commission’s operations.
“This clarification comes in the wake of misunderstanding by some members of the public on the operations of the Commission, to the extent that the Commission’s autonomy is said to have been compromised due to the absence of the Board,” Moono noted.
He reassured that despite the current absence of a Board, the Commission continues to discharge its mandate effectively and professionally.
“To the contrary and as stated earlier, the Commission had continued to discharge its mandate professionally and with the tenacity it deserves,” Moono concluded.
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