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Former Minister of Health Dr. Alex Katakwe has issued an apology and clarification over remarks he made regarding the conduct of public officers made during his farewell media engagement on May 15, 2026.
Katakwe addressed the apology to the People of Zambia, the Office of the President, the Anti-Corruption Commission, and the Staff of the Ministry of Health.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Tuesday, Katakwe explained that his intention was to highlight two specific points on corruption and public service standards.
“My intention was to stress two points: first, that corruption in any form is unacceptable and must be rejected; and second, that public officers should remain vigilant against practices that blur the line between genuine appreciation and improper inducement,” he said.
However, the former minister acknowledged that his phrasing created the wrong impression.
“Unfortunately, the way I phrased my comments regarding ‘tokens of appreciation’ and ‘eating moderately’ created the impression that I was endorsing conduct inconsistent with the Anti-Corruption Act and the Public Service Code of Ethics,” he said.
He stated that endorsing such conduct was never his intention and moved to formally withdraw the remarks and offer an apology.
“That was not my intent, i now recognizes that the language i used was inappropriate and risked damaging public confidence. I now recognize that such language was inappropriate and risked undermining public confidence in the standards we are obligated to uphold,” Katakwe said.
The former minister said he fully aligned with the position stated by State House and the Anti-Corruption Commission on the matter.
He said he had unreservedly withdrawn the remarks and apologized for any confusion or offense caused to the government, former colleagues, and the Zambian public.
“I fully align with the position stated by State House and the Anti-Corruption Commission: any benefit accepted by a public officer in connection with a public contract constitutes corruption and must be rejected,” Katakwe said.
He urged all public officers to continue discharging their duties impartially and in strict accordance with the law.
Katakwe reaffirmed his commitment to public service values.
“As a public servant, I remain committed to the principles of integrity, transparency, and accountability. I thank the public for holding leaders to account and reiterate my regret for this lapse in judgment,” he said.
Katakwe’s apology follows concerns raised by Anti-Corruption Commission who condemnrd him for his remarks on gifts
The ACC said under the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012, corruption included the soliciting, accepting, giving, or offering of any gratification as a bribe or personal inducement.
“The Commission wishes to categorically state that the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012 clearly defines corruption as the soliciting, accepting, obtaining, giving, promising, or offering of gratification by way of a bribe or any other personal inducement or temptation,” it said.
Read More: Anti-Corruption Commission condemns former Health Minister’s remarks on gifts
The ACC noted that gratification referred to any corrupt payment in cash or kind, other than a casual gift and a casual gift should be conventional, unsolicited, of modest value, seasonal, and not connected to the performance of official duties.
“Consequently, the remarks attributed to Hon. Dr. Katakwe are unfortunate, as they have the potential to encourage public officials to accept rewards in exchange for services rendered to members of the public, an act that contravenes the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012,” IT stated.
The Commission also referred to the revised Code of Ethics for the Public Service and Local Government, which demanded high standards of ethical conduct.
It quoted the code as stating that a public servant shall not accept gifts, rewards, hospitality, or benefits that may compromise personal judgement, integrity, or impartiality.
“A public servant shall not accept gifts, rewards, hospitality, or benefits of any kind from any person or organisation which may compromise his or her personal judgement, integrity, or impartiality,” the ACC said.
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