HH must publicly declare assets as civil servant No. 1, but Mundubile won’t – Tonse Alliance

LUSAKA – The call for public officials to declare their assets has once again taken centre stage in Zambian political discourse, with the Tonse Alliance urging President Hakainde Hichilema to lead by example. Chris Zumani Zimba, Secretary General of the Tonse Alliance, articulated this position, stating that as the 'civil servant No. 1', President Hichilema has a moral and ethical obligation to publicly disclose his assets for the sake of transparency and good governance. Zimba's remarks come amidst a broader national conversation regarding accountability within the government and opposition. He highlighted a perceived inconsistency, noting that while the expectation for asset declaration often falls on the ruling party, opposition leaders such as Brian Mundubile, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, have not faced similar public pressure or demonstrated a willingness to declare their wealth. This selective application, Zimba suggested, undermines the spirit of transparency that should permeate all levels of leadership. The demand for asset declaration is rooted in Zambia's commitment to combating corruption and promoting ethical leadership. While existing legislation, such as the Public Officers' Ethics Act, mandates the declaration of assets to relevant institutions, the call for *public* declaration goes a step further, aiming to foster greater public trust and scrutiny. Proponents argue that public disclosure helps to identify potential conflicts of interest and ensures that leaders are not enriching themselves illicitly while in office. However, the issue remains contentious. Critics often cite privacy concerns or the potential for political weaponisation of such information. Yet, for a nation grappling with historical issues of graft and mismanagement, the public's desire for leaders to be open about their financial standing is increasingly strong. President Hichilema's administration came into power on a strong anti-corruption platform, making the i