What is corruption?

According to the OECD, the most commonly used definition of corruption is “the abuse of public office for private gain”.

Transparency International amplifies this definition further by differentiating between "according to rule" corruption and "against the rule" corruption. When a bribe is paid to receive preferential treatment for something that the bribe receiver is required to do by law, constitute the former. The latter is the case when a bribe paid to obtain services the bribe receiver is prohibited from providing.

Armed with these definitions, it is very easy to understand why corruption has become endemic in our society. A trip to the Ministry of Lands or ZRA offices would uncover the required evidence. There are generally two kinds of corruption prevalent in Zambia. The low level corruption where one pays a small amount of money (or uses a personal connection) to expedite a process (e.g. get a form signed) and then there is the high level corruption where perhaps a Minister uses his position to make sure that the road leading to his Guest House is repaired.

The high level corruption is sometimes difficult to detect and requires law enforcement agencies to conduct investigations to gather the evidence and take the culprits to court. However, low level corruption is everywhere! It is a way of life. If you go to the “Public Enquiries” window at the Ministry of Lands you are likely to be told to “come tomorrow”. But if you know a friend of a friend you’re ushered straight into an office and your papers are looked at. This is pattern is being repeated everyday at most public offices across the republic. Someone once told me “you can’t feed your family on patriotism”. So faced with the “come tomorrow” syndrome most of us simply take the easy route and find a way of getting the public officers to expedite the process. This is undoubtedly unhelpful in the fight against corruption but the system looks so rotten that it is difficult to see a way out.

Then there is public procurement. In an internet age, it should be easy for public procurement officers to have a pretty good idea how much goods sourced from outside Zambia should cost. It is shocking to discover how the growing industry of “supplying to the government” is basically ripping off Zambian tax payers. Goods and services that should cost hundreds of pounds suddenly cost thousands. There even examples of second hand goods (refurbished) being supplied when the original tender required brand new goods. Where are the checks and balances?

The PANEL.

Visit to Zambia

In my last posting I promised to provide regular updates on my trip home. However due to a tight schedule and unreliable internet connectivity (more on this later) this was not possible. Below are some highlights.

First impression: Lusaka International Airport

The airport has not changed since I first used it in 1994. A few cosmetic changes here and there but no major improvements. I heard rumours that there are plans to build a new international terminal near the ZASTI site but no official information on this. Last time I was home it took longer to clear immigration as a Zambian than as a foreigner and this has not changed. There were more officers serving SADCC, PTA, foreigners and VIPs than common Zambians.

A major positive development was that one is no longer harassed by officers from ZRA! I went through the nothing to declare channel and no one questioned this or attempted to inspect my personal effects.

First impression of Lusaka

Lusaka has changed beyond recognition in my opinion. There are construction projects everywhere. I believe credit is due to one FTJ for opening our eyes and planting a belief in our minds that home ownership is an attainable goal. Major re-development of Manda Hill and a number of big companies seem to have taken up permanent residence in the Show Grounds (Zain being one of them).

Roads in Lusaka

The Airport Road is probably the best road in Lusaka (apparently because it is regularly used by RB). Other roads in most upcoming residential areas require attention. I was visiting a friend in New Kasama (off Leopards Hill Road) and the road is in a semi-decent state up to George Kunda’s Gate (I am not kidding)! Beyond his gate one needs a 4X4.

Generally speaking roads in all new areas (except PHI developments) are in a bad state despite people having paid service charges.

The Copperbelt

I visited Kitwe, Kalulushi, Mufurila, Luanshya and Ndola. Compared to Lusaka, the Copperbelt is basically dead. The roads are in such a bad state that a trip from Kitwe to Kalulushi now requires a major diversion via the KMB, Industrial Area and St. Anthony compound. This is all because the direct route (Coca Cola, Twibukishe) is in a bad state. Luanshya looked like a town waiting for something to happen.

Ndola seemd to have a bit of life but the industrial area is still looking deserted.

Politics

I was on the Copperbelt when the recent bye-elections were taking place. Copperbelt and Lusaka are PF strongholds and the MMD have no chance in these two provinces. A major MMD rally in Ndola was poorly attended despite ferrying cadres from all over the Copperbelt.

Rumours on the ground are that RB has given up on the Copperbelt and Lusaka. He is concentrating on North Western and Western. RB is hoping to win these two by completing the Mutanda to Chavuma and the Road to Kalabo (or is it Sesheke) before the elections next year. Soundings from N. Western are that this will be a major factor. If RB manages to complete the road (and he has three contractors in place) then the PF-UPND pact should expect major losses in this province.

PF-UPND pact

There seems to be some infighting in the pact. The POST led on this for a number of days. However, people on the ground believe these differences will be sorted out. A number of observers believe Sata will be the Pact’s candidate with HH as the VP. Sata is still a very popular figure.

Internet connectivity

I stayed at two different places that boasted of “free Wi-Fi”. What they did not say was that the speed is poor and the link is up and down like a yo-yo. Most ISPs have a bad reputation and people have taken to using their Smart Phones to access the internet.

Street Kids

The street kids of 5yrs ago are now teenagers and they are now having children among themselves. There are SOS Children Villages in Lusaka and I saw one along the Kitwe – Ndola road.

Cost of living

The cost of living is generally very high and sometimes I wonder how people survive! I went into Spar Supermarket and a few bits and bobs cost more than ZK500 000! This was not even half a trolley. A bag of 25 Kg Breakfast Mealie Meal is close to ZK50 000!

Final thought

During my visit it was clear in mind mind that there is Lusaka and then the rest of the country. I do not know about Livingstone, Kasama, Solwezi, and the other major centres but the Copperbelt can do with an injection of life. Lusaka is thriving but it is individuals not the government. People are investing in new residential and commercial buildings but the government is slow in the infrastructure development.

The "bole hole" class has clearly emerged. These are people who have potential to influence the GRZ but have given up. Instead of pushing Lusaka Water and Sewerage provide services they simply invest in Septic tanks and a bole hole. Soon they will give up on Zesco and generate there own electricity. One wonders what the taxes ZRA collects everyday are being used for. To fight bye-elections?

The PANEL.