Community Action Against Corruption (CAAC) says the latest Corruption Perception Index (CPI) released by Transparency International accurately reflects the current state of corruption in Zambia.
CAAC Chief Executive Officer Brightone Tembo said although the organisation has previously expressed reservations about aspects of the CPI methodology, it is difficult to dispute the 2025 findings as they mirror what CAAC believes to be the true corruption landscape in the country.
Mr. Tembo described the findings as consistent with CAAC’s long-standing concerns about what he termed a “smoke screen” fight against corruption.
He said Zambia’s drop in the latest Transparency International rankings does not come as a surprise, arguing that over the past five years, the Anti-Corruption Commission, the Drug Enforcement Commission, and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions have failed to pursue what he described as a genuine and balanced anti-corruption campaign.
Mr. Tembo alleged that enforcement agencies have focused heavily on alleged corruption cases involving officials from the previous regime, while treating allegations involving individuals in the current administration with what he termed a lukewarm approach.
He added that prosecuting former officials and forfeiting their assets, while allegedly ignoring corruption claims against those currently in power and their associates, does not amount to a comprehensive anti-corruption strategy.
