Africa-Press – Zambia. Former Board Chairperson of the National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research (NISIR), Judith Ngalande Lungu, has been arrested for the offense of Abuse of Authority of office. The 71-year-old resident of Luangwa residential area in Kabwe was arrested on February 15, 2023, in Lusaka by the Police Investigations Team.
According to brief facts of the case, Dr. Lungu, who served as the Board Chairperson of NISIR between 2017 and 2021, purchased a house from the Institute at a reduced price of 40 percent, which was a condition of NISIR employees. However, Dr. Lungu did not belong to the category of NISIR employees. She paid K178,000 towards the total cost of K381,000 and occupied the house, which is actually worth K800,000.
Danny Mwale, Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed Dr. Lungu’s arrest and the charge against her. “I can confirm that Dr. Judith Ngalande Lungu has been charged with Abuse of Authority of office. She was arrested on February 15, 2023, and released on Police Bond. She will appear in court soon,” he said.
The news of Dr. Lungu’s arrest has come as a shock to many, as she was considered a respected member of society. Speaking to the media, a former colleague of Dr. Lungu expressed his surprise at the news. “I knew Dr. Lungu to be a very honorable person who always advocated for ethical practices in public office. I never would have expected her to be involved in something like this,” he said.
The arrest of Dr. Lungu has also sparked a conversation about the importance of upholding ethical practices in public office. In a statement, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) emphasized the need for public officials to always act in the best interest of the public. “As public servants, it is our responsibility to uphold the highest ethical standards and always act in the best interest of the public. Any act of corruption or abuse of authority is a betrayal of the public trust and will not be tolerated,” the statement read.
The Police Investigations Team has assured the public that they will continue to work diligently to investigate any wrongdoing and ensure that justice is served. “We take these matters very seriously and will not hesitate to take action against any public official who is found to be abusing their authority,” a spokesperson for the team said.
Dr. Lungu’s case has also brought attention to the issue of corruption in Zambia. According to Transparency International’s 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index, Zambia ranks 117th out of 180 countries, with a score of 32 out of 100. The index measures the perceived level of public sector corruption in a country.
Speaking on the issue of corruption in Zambia, a representative from Transparency International Zambia said, “Corruption is a major issue in Zambia, and it is important that the government takes a strong stance against it. We need to ensure that public officials are held accountable for their actions and that they are not above the law.”
The case against Dr. Lungu is a reminder that no one is above the law and that the abuse of authority cannot be tolerated. As the investigation continues, the public waits for justice to be served.
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