PAC’s Banda joins clamour for urgent appointment of ACC board, Director-General

People’s Alliance for Change (PAC) leader, Andyford Banda, has demanded the swift appointment of a new Board for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), citing a leadership vacuum that has persisted since ACC Director-General (DG), Tom Shamakamba, resigned and the Board was dissolved over 100 days ago by President Hakainde Hichilema.

In a statement issued Wednesday, Banda expressed alarm over ongoing corruption reports, noting that Zambia’s anti-corruption efforts were being undermined by the prolonged absence of an ACC Board and Director General.

“This country cannot afford for the ACC to be unled for such an unnecessarily long period,” Banda stressed, calling the delay in appointments unjustified and harmful to governance.

Banda questioned why the President had dissolved the Board without having replacements ready, especially given that numerous qualified Zambians could fill these roles.

He argued that the delay allowed a patronage system to persist, with key appointments being reserved for individuals loyal to the ruling party rather than those with proven competence.

“The fight against corruption is stagnant because competence and merit have been sidelined in favor of loyalty and affiliation,” Banda remarked.

He alleged that the system shields certain individuals from accountability.

Banda further criticized the government for lack of transparency, pointing to the absence of updates on investigations involving senior officials, which ACC’s Acting DG confirmed in July.

“It’s been 100 days and the public remains uninformed on any progress,” he said, suggesting that the anti-corruption efforts appeared selective and politically motivated.

He also accused President Hichilema of using governance to prioritize personal and party interests over national welfare, comparing it to a “colonial” system.

Banda highlighted that the President’s failure to appoint ACC leadership, even as the Financial Intelligence report revealed US$3 billion in suspected illicit transactions this year, was disturbing.

He called it a “wake-up call” for appointing competent leaders who can advance the ACC’s mission.

“It’s time to ensure that competent people lead these institutions, selected through transparent processes, if we hope to combat corruption effectively,” Banda concluded.

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