UPND Ministers competing ‘to steal’ – Mundubile

…in search of financial and political fame with the grandiose desire to build financial empires before exiting from power in 2026

By BARNABAS ZULU

BRIAN Mundubile has attributed the outbreak of corruption scandals in the UPND government to what he has termed fierce competition for fame, power and the grandiose desire to build financial empires by Cabinet Ministers and other high-ranking government officials.
Speaking during a media briefing yesterday, Mr Mundubile, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament argued that the persistent scandals in the new dawn administration can be attributed to the unhealthy financial rivalry among President Hakainde Hichilema’s Ministers.
The UPND government has been engulfed in scandals in almost all sectors with the worst affected being agriculture, health, energy and infrastructure, while a number of Ministeres are being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
“The reason why there are so many scandals everywhere is because there is competition amongst UPND ministers. They are competing to steal. Because they are all looking for power and fame. That is why there are scandals everywhere,” Mr Mundubile said.
Mr Mundubile explained how ministers within the government were emulating each other’s actions in the field of looting and plunder, stating that corruption in the new dawn had become grand and unprecedented.
“If the Minister of Health walks away, for example, with a scandal, the Minister of Energy will also say, ‘even me, let me walk away with something,’ then the Minister of Agriculture will say, ‘that is what is happening at Energy, then let me do a deal in Tanzania.’ The Minister of Health said it all, why are you bothering me? There are scandals everywhere,” Mr. Mundubile observed.

Mr Mundubile, the Patriotic Front (PF) Mporokoso law maker highlighted various forms of alleged corruption, saying: “Others are allowing shares and getting away with it, others are selling fuel, others are dealing in maize which never came.”
Mr. Mundubile stressed that the situation represented the culture of looting and plunder, fueled by a breakdown in the rule of law.
“There is competition for looting and plundering of resources because the law has been suspended. There is nobody who is looking out for criminals that are looting our resources every day,” Mr Mundubile said. “If one has an opportunity to sell shares without following the law, they will just sell shares without arguing. If one has a chance to export the maize, they will do so and pocket the money. If one has the chance to just export power because of the blackout, they will just export it. If one has a chance to get the money from fuel tankers meant for the youths, they will just pocket the money and give it to their wives, children, and everybody. That is what is happening today,” Mr Mundubile said.
Mr. Mundubile questioned the government’s commitment to addressing corruption, asking: “The question one asks is, where the President is? Where is the system? And where is the law? Remember, with all these things happening, the President still says they have sealed off loopholes for corruption. At the same time, he said we interfered with the system to fight corruption. When is the fight going to be enhanced? The many individuals under his government involved in corrupt activities are still walking these streets,” Mr Mundubile said.