Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane has denied ever receiving any payment either through his bank accounts, directly in cash or in any other illegitimate manner as alleged by Lumezi Member of Parliament Munir Zulu.
Mr. Zulu at a briefing yesterday accused Dr. Musokotwane and his Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Counterpart Charles Milupi of dubiously receiving US$250 million each from sources whose names have been withheld through bank transfers.
Mr. Zulu has further alleged that the two Cabinet Ministers are being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Commission –ACC- for allegedly receiving $250,000 each from a named firm.
But Dr. Musokotwane in a statement says he has not been summoned, interviewed as a suspect or questioned by the ACC or any law enforcement agency in any corruption case.
Dr. Musokotwane says he will seek appropriate statutory remedies for the injury caused to his character by Mr. Zulu.
He state states that as Minister of Finance, he is a public official running a public office and that in the course of his duties, his office remains accessible to various stakeholders both within the public sector and outside.
Dr. Musokotwane notes with concern some schemes aimed at deterring government from focusing on sustaining the progress made in repairing the economy, bettering the lives of its citizens, and improving the country’s standing in the international community and strengthening cooperation with all stakeholders, local and foreign.
Meanwhile, ACC Head-Corporate Communications Timothy Moono says the commission is not investigating Dr. Musokotwane and Mr. Milupi over alleged corrupt practices.
Mr. Moono has said in a statement that as such, the two ministers have never been summoned by the commission to appear before it for interrogation.
He says the commission therefore calls on Mr. Zulu to furnish it with details of the alleged corruption so that investigations can be carried out.
PHOENIX NEWS