The National Anti-Corruption Alliance (Naca) has urged newly appointed Cabinet ministers to adhere to legal requirements by declaring their assets, liabilities and business interests within three months of assuming office.
The Office of the Director of Public Offices’ Declaration requires appointed Cabinet ministers to declare assets, liabilities and business interests within three months of assuming office.
Naca Chairperson Michael Kaiyatsa said asset declaration was key to restoring and maintaining public trust.
“We expect that the newly appointed Cabinet ministers will, within the three months period, declare their assets to gain trust from the public,” Kaiyatsa said.
The requirement extends beyond the Cabinet to include newly elected members of Parliament (MPs), councillors and heads of ministries, departments and agencies.
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Office of the Director of Public Offices’ Declaration spokesperson Tiyamike Phiri said efforts were underway to educate listed public officers on the declaration process to prevent legal infractions.
“The cited provision stipulates that a listed public officer who, without reasonable cause, fails to submit the required declaration within the time determined by this Act shall, subject to the Constitution and other written law, be liable to be dismissed from public office,” Phiri said.
Cabinet ministers, including deputy ministers, are classified as listed public officers under Section 5 and Section 14 of the Public Officers Act.
