PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema says government will continue doing asset recoveries in the fight against corruption, warning that those who stole medicines from hospitals and built houses risk losing their properties.
Speaking when he opened the fifth session of the 13th National Assembly in Lusaka yesterday, President Hichilema said no one would be spared, regardless of political affiliation.
“We warn all those involved in the theft of medicines and medical supplies meant for our ordinary citizens, the long arm of the law will catch up with you,” declared the President.
He explained that government was acting on the results of the independent forensic audit conducted at the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA).
“Arrests have been effected and more arrests will be effected. We will prosecute these cases and ultimately jail them when they are found wanting. We are also going to do asset recoveries, if you stole medicines and you built a house, we are coming for that house,” Hichilema warned.
He stressed that justice would not end with court convictions but would extend to stripping thieves of the wealth they amassed through corruption.
“We need to send a signal, Madam Speaker. What is the point? Someone steals drugs worth a million dollars, they are jailed for three years, and after remission, they serve one and a half years. When they come out, they still find US$950,000 intact. That encourages relatives to also steal. This is why we are going after the assets too,” he said.
President Hichilema noted that theZAMMSA audit had exposed glaring irregularities, systemic weaknesses and outright theft which his government was determined to address.
He insisted that there were no sacred cows in the fight against graft and those crying foul about democracy being under threat were merely hiding behind stolen loot.
“We must distinguish being arrested for theft and prosecuted from loss of democratic space. There is no one being targeted here. If you didn’t steal, the audit will find you innocent. If you didn’t steal, how can you be arrested? Go to court and be proved innocent,” he said.
He disclosed that the arrests so far cut across successive administrations which proves that the fight was non-partisan.
“The people we have arrested, some were employed by MMD, some by PF and some by UPND. They will all go in. There are no sacred cows when it comes to theft and corruption,” said the President.
He also hoped that the UPND’s fight against corruption would save as a lesson to current public servants such as ministers.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, September 13, 2025
