Acting Director General of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Gabriel Chembezi, has called on the government to initiate a review of the Corrupt Practices Act to strengthen the bureau’s operational effectiveness.
Chembezi said the proposed amendments should specifically empower the ACB to arrest corruption suspects without the need for a warrant, arguing that the current requirement slows down investigations and allows suspects time to interfere with evidence.
He noted that granting such powers would streamline the bureau’s enforcement processes and enhance its ability to respond swiftly to corruption cases across the country.
The ACB chief also raised concerns over resistance to the introduction of vetting procedures for vehicle clearance at the Directorate of Road Traffic and Safety Services (DRTSS), a department the bureau suspects may be harbouring corrupt practices.
According to Chembezi, the reluctance to accept vetting is troubling and undermines efforts to promote transparency and accountability. “What is happening at the Road Traffic is uncalled for,” he said.
He warned that the bureau is closely monitoring the situation at DRTSS and will not hesitate to take action where malpractice is detected.
Chembezi further emphasized the ACB’s commitment to protecting vulnerable citizens by tackling corruption across all public institutions, noting that the culture of accountability must be upheld at all levels.
He added that the bureau is intensifying surveillance in government offices and cautioned public officers that the ACB will not relent in its pursuit of integrity, vowing to take decisive action against anyone involved in corrupt dealings.
