THE rampant theft of confidential files and leakage of secret information by officials and intelligence systems will affect Government operations and should be curtailed forthwith, public leaders have warned.
And senior journalist Cyrus Kapeso has observed that the quality of information published in the media showed very high intelligence collusion
“These people have deep inside information which they procure from their privileged positions in their work,” he said.
Former minister of Home Affairs Lameck Mangani said no Government could operate without confidentiality.
It has emerged that many classified files and other correspondence were being stolen from Government and given to unauthorized individuals.
Mr Mangani said civil servants leaking confidential and classified Government documents to unauthorized non-public service workers were committing subversion and should be fired from the civil service.
He said the presence of moles in Government was a danger not only to the system but the society at large and they should not be entertained.
Mr Mangani said in an interview yesterday that if leakages of confidential documents were not curtailed, there would be far-reaching consequences such as bringing down the present Government and the future ones.
“Moles are a danger to any Government. What is the motive of selling information to unauthorised individuals? Why sell information?
“That is subversion and it is an offence or criminal act. Such people should not be entertained. They will make Government fall, whether today it is PF Government or the other day maybe another government, if you have such type of people they will make government fall,” he said.
Mr Mangani said he was shocked that the correspondence by Minister of Finance Alexander Chikwanda and President Edgar Lungu was heavily quoted in the Post Newspapers.
He, however, said that there was nothing wrong with Mr Chikwanda to propose something important to President Lungu to improve operations at Zesco.
“I was shocked that correspondence of the minister could be quoted word for word; it was shocking, I couldn’t believe it myself. But it is normal for the minister to write to the President on matters that they feel can injure Government or improve Government. It is normal,” he said.
Mr Mangani said Government should not employ people who could not handle sensitive matters.
He said police and other relevant authorities must follow up the matter and investigate so that culprits were prosecuted.
He said it was very easy for the police to follow up the matter and know who was behind the leakage of documents and commence investigations. “If it is a leakage of correspondence between the President and a particular minister we should be able to tell who leaked it because we know who typed the letter, who sent it and who received it at State House. We can follow it and find out where the leakage is, then we can find the culprit. I don’t know why it is becoming very difficult to do so,” he said.
Mr Mangani said the police could not work in isolation but need support of other officers in Government to arrest the practice.
He said it would not help this country if people kept quiete while culprits continued to leak important documents to unauthorized individuals and organisations.
“Right now people like the opposition can celebrate, but it is dangerous. Any government operates on secrecy and if you break that line and say everything is for open discussion, the whole system of Government collapses,” he said.
Mr Mangani said people who take oath of secrecy should respect it and keep allegiance to the appointing authority, adding that those who were not loyal were not fit to be in the civil service.
Looking for a job Mr Mangani?
As the ones who interviewed him. They are the ones looking for something to write about.
Iwe @ kaluba,get him one. simbotwe.
It was chikwanla who leaked it. In collaboration with one lungoo.
Mr. Mangani, “Weakleaks” are virtually impossible to seal, as long you have disgruntled and disaffected individuals in whatever system, leaks will continue!
I totally agree with Mr Mangani. Govt come and go so those who are at the receiving end are thiking that they are clever but when they happen to be in power and the same thing starts happening to them, they will also be complaining. Let the police take this matter seriously as this boarders on national security. It’s not dificuaty to arrest the culprits. Let this thing come to an end.
When you encourage stealing of government material so that you can use it to your advantage, just know you are creating a monster which will turn against you in future. Mangani on this one he has score a winner
At the very least we know Membe is an accessory to the crime why are they not arresting him? Just as why has Ed not suspended DPP
You certainlty can’t spell my man. However, you have a point.
Well, we need free information. Please, leak even more. Why hide if it doesn’t border on security? Hiding corruption? Abash confidentiality?
Kaluba, This is the problem in Zambia, some gives an advice ati he is looking for a job. Remember the person who is talking has been a cabinet Minster before I strongly believe he had that experience which he feels at some point made his job difficulty. so don’t just condemn for the sake of condemning
Kaluba is correct Mangani swings from one tree to another like a monkey.Mangani has a point here but why not query the motivation
Even in your house if there’s no confidentiality, do you think that house can stand?
Have you forgotten how you used to give out sensitive government information when you were home affairs minister. That time, you your driver and your police bodyguard were all PF but you were pretending to be MMD. So just shut up.
We need whistle blowers around how else will we know what’s cooking in government?
This is the first time I have read about something sensible coming from Mr. Lameck Mangani. This coming from him, means it has really become a big problem especially that this man was supporting HH in the last elections. He has put his personal interests aside to think about the good of the country. As he has said no Government can function without secrets. Imagine someone leaking information to the media that US seals are about to pounce on Bin Laden!! I am sure he would have earned himself a lot of money but the lives of innocent people through Bin Laden’s evil actions would have continued to be lost. Some bloggers may trivialize this but the problem is that if you let this go on there is no telling when it will stop and you risk the security of the country as a whole!!!!!
We are all crying for the free information bill, why is Mangani making a big deal out of this. Who do you think you can rule using secrets in this age and time. That is why JEWS were being killed in chambers because their alleys were not able to get news in good time untill afterwards. All the countries are now opening up this time.
What did you do to your people in Eastern Province for them to reject you repeatedly?
Iwe Mangani, you’re just looking for a job. We need free information today.
Question: When did all this begin?
Answer: When PF was in opposition, under Sata to be specific.
Question: Who are the main sponsors of the scourge?
Answer: The Past news.
Question: When did the Past perfect the art of stealing information and why?
Answer: Return to question 1 above.
Mr Mangani ur nw mature cntnue wth de sme bhviour if u wnt 2 b a good leader
Quite true that we need FOI Bill. But government must still be able to operate a large amount outside the influence of the public on certain issues. Otherwise, they might as well not be in government if they cannot muse over their plans before making them public. The support by some to make all things public is really due to ignorance. We are still a young democracy that even in “this day and age” still face numerous technological and operational challenges at institutional level. To throw caution to the wind without making proper investment in our GRZ systems will harm governments ability to function with “independence”. Two wrongs do not make a right, they say. But then again, too many people appear today to be scaringly ignorant of the need to have patriots in our systems, even…
Mangani is looking for a job ,period. Well i thought he jumped camp into UPND let him wait untill the party of his choice comes into power. Mangani should be silent, this govt will take advice from those who give it and are not totally compromised like him. Mangani should find a life.
Mangani does not need to look any further than Edgar Lungu, who breached the Official Secrets Act in November last year by revealing Cabinet proceedings to Newton Ng’uni in an attempt to grab instruments of power from Guy Scott who was acting President. And Lungu is now President and is swearing people to keep secrets! So who does Lungu now expect to keep his own wrong misdeeds in secret?
Continued from above: Two wrongs do not make a right, they say. But then again, too many people appear today to be scaringly ignorant of the need to have patriots in our systems, even with wikileaks around. We only have this country to take pride in no matter the flaws. “Warts and all!”
Cut the wings of those who watch galus in Zambia. And you know who they are!
FOI does not entail freedom to “all” information. However there will be a formal process which citizens can use in order to access certain information. However all governments worldwide maintain confidentiality over information and illegal access to this information is a crime which should be punishable.