Govt response to health sector scandal may become recipe for persecution, propaganda —Kantanshi MP warns

Kantanshi Member of Parliament, Anthony Mumba, has called on the government to conduct a serious introspection following corruption allegations raised by the United States government, accusing the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) of being reactive rather than proactive in fighting graft in the health sector.

Reacting to remarks by Home Affairs Minister Jack Mwiimbu—who on Monday said the final report on theft of medicines from public institutions had been submitted to security wings—Mumba warned that the response risked becoming a political tool rather than a solution.

“My concern is that this may become a recipe for propaganda, persecution, and confusion. Many people will be implicated, and the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) and Ministry of Health could be paralysed in the process,” he said in a statement.

Mumba noted that no detailed report had been issued on the disappearance of 60 containers of medical supplies, apart from the dismissal of one or two State House officials.

“There’s been no meaningful follow-up or accountability. The same inaction has affected other sectors such as education,” he added.

He criticised the government for only taking action after the US raised concerns, saying the UPND had promised a new way of governance when it won with over a million votes in 2021.

“But alas… now all of a sudden, after the US has coughed, we are sneezing all over the place,” Mumba said.

He acknowledged that the revelations may appear unfair to the UPND but insisted the issues raised dated back four years.

“Why act on them now? Zambians need to see the change they voted for, or else the UPND will have itself to blame in 2026,” he warned.

Mumba urged the government to take seriously audit findings, corruption reports, and local government spending audits, including the use of Constituency Development Funds (CDF).

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