1. To receive and investigate complaints of alleged or suspected corrupt practices
2. Intelligence gathering and data analysis

Once the ACC receives reports of alleged or suspected corrupt practices the Director General then authorises inquiries to be conducted. Those found with cases to answer under the ACC Act are taken to court for trial and the Commission is represented by the Legal and Prosecutions Department. It is however important to note that an investigation can lead to the following outcomes:

1. Prosecution of the accused once enough evidence of the commission of an offence is adduced and the Director of Public Prosecutions gives consent to prosecute the suspected offender.
2. Exonerating an accused person if there is no evidence that points to wrong doing.
3. Administrative action where evidence is insufficient to sustain a case in court or prove to the commission of an offence beyond reasonable doubt. In such a situation where evidence is insufficient, but the Commission believes that there is a loophole for corruption or an accused could have engaged in bad behaviour which cannot be proved to be corruption, an investigation can end up in a recommendation for administrative action.
4. The Commission can refer any case to any relevant agency that is deemed to have adequate authority to deal with cases that do not fall under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Some cases of outright fraud, theft, drug abuse and the like have been referred to the Zambia Police or the Drug Enforcement Commission for them to competently handle.

The Anti-Corruption Act No 3 of 2012 spells out what constitutes an offence of corruption for which the Commission will investigate and prosecute. According to the Act these offences include:

1. soliciting, accepting, obtaining, giving, promising or offering of a gratification in return for a favour. The Act defines gratification as any corrupt payment, whether in cash or in kind.
2. Misuse or abuse of public office for private or personal gain.
3. A public officer who lives beyond one’s past and present official emoluments. This offence suggests that a public officer must prove that the wealth they have acquired is within their past and present official emoluments. If they fail to provide an explanation of how they acquired such wealth or property, this may be deemed to have been corruptly or ill-gotten.

The Commission has since inception investigated a lot of cases of corruption falling within the Act as the Commission Annual Reports indicate.

”LESS”

As such the Legal and Prosecutions Directorate carries out the prosecutorial functions of the Commission which includes:

1. Rendering legal advice on the on-going inquiries and giving legal opinions on dockets upon conclusion of any inquiry.
2. The Department also drafts all charges and consents for DPP’s consideration and prosecutes all cases of corruption and such other offences that may come to the attention of the commission in the course of any investigation of corruption.
3. The Department also represents the commission, in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, in all civil matters.
4. It also undertake legal research in order to enhance the capacity of the ACC to implement its mandate.

”LESS”

1. Disseminate information to the public and enlist their support against corruption through education and awareness programmes
2. Cultivate and coordinate relationships with Civil Society and Non-Governmental Organizations involved in anti-corruption activities and civic advocacy.
3. Produce and provide systematic information on corruption and the ACC through information; education and campaign materials.
4. Coordinate ACC’s internal and external communication.
5. Undertake the Commission’s Public Relations function.

The Commission conducts educational campaigns to the public or the community in various forms. These include lectures, radio programmes, workshops, seminars, and public campaigns.

The ACC has the duty to mobilize and foster public support from civil society in the fight against corruption and works closely with the government, Civil Society and private institutions. The fight against corruption is not for the ACC alone but for everyone.

”LESS”

1. lead the ACC’s co-ordinating role of Government anti-corruption programmes and activities by developing and facilitating the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Policy and Implementation Plan aimed at achieving a harmonized and focused anti-corruption fight;
2. conduct research and surveys to generate baseline information on corruption in order to facilitate the development of appropriate measures for the effective prevention and combating of corruption;
3. examine the practices and procedures of public and private bodies in order to facilitate the discovery of corrupt practices and secure the revision of methods of work or procedures which may be prone and conducive to corrupt practices;
4. advise public and private bodies on ways and means of preventing corrupt practices through the revision and implementation of administrative procedures and methods of work compatible with the effective performance of the client body’s duties;
5. liaison with respective public bodies, develop and implement programmes and activities aimed at enhancing integrity and public service delivery by staff;
6. maintain a national level data-base on corruption to facilitate decision-making on anti-corruption;
7. monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of institutional programmes and activities.

The Department also sits on various Standing and Ad hoc Committees to enhance transparency and accountability in the delivery of public services. In this regard the Department is divided into three Units namely: Institutional Advisory; Corruption Prevention Operations, and; Research.

”LESS”