‘Mubanga not our staff,’ ZAMCOM rejects link to ACC arrest of accountant over alleged fraud

The Zambia Institute of Mass Communication (ZAMCOM) has noted with concern the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) statement titled “ACC Arrests ZAMCOM Accountant for Corruption.”

Responding to the ACC in a statement issued in Lusaka on Wednesday, ZAMCOM Head of Public Relations and Marketing, Alice Schultz said Mubanga was not an employee of the institution and had not been in its employment since January 2019.

Shultz said the reference to him as an Accountant at ZAMCOM was inaccurate and created a misleading impression of his current association with ZAMCOM.

She said the characterization was factually incorrect and has the potential to damage the reputation of the institution.

Shultz stated that the attribution of his status as a serving officer of ZAMCOM created a misleading nexus between the institution and the alleged acts.

“In effect, it conveys to the public an erroneous impression that the institution is presently associated with, or bears responsibility for, the conduct in question, she said.

Schultz stated that such representation was prejudicial and has the potential to occasion unwarranted reputational harm to ZAMCOM.

As a public institution, Schultz said ZAMCOM places a premium on integrity, procedural compliance, and accountability.

“Public communications must maintain the highest standards of factual accuracy, particularly where institutional identity and public perception is concerned,” she said.

Schultz said ZAMCOM respected the mandate of the ACC under the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012, and supports all actions aimed at eliminating corrupt practices in the public sector.

Accordingly, ZAMCOM has formally requested the ACC to issue a public correction and apology to rectify the misrepresentation.

Schultz said ZAMCOM remained committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in all its operations.

Earlier, the ACC had announced the arrest of Mubanga over alleged abuse of authority of office in relation to salary increments and promotions involving K300,000.

Mubanga, 56, of Plot No. 23287/M, Silverest, Chongwe, faces three counts of Abuse of Authority of Office, contrary to Section 21(1)(a) as read with Section 41 of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012.

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