A LOT OF GOVT MONEY LOST…if you’re aware of details like some of usare, you’ll not even raise a finger – Mutti
By Fanny Kalonda
SPEAKER of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti says officers at Ministry of Finance who have been transferred to Cabinet Office should have been suspended so that investigations can be carried out.
“Honourable member [for Lunte, Mutotwe Kafwaya] if you are aware of the details, like some of us are, you will not even raise a finger. You would want to wait, you would want to wait to see that the investigations are carried out to the satisfaction of everyone,” Mutti told Kafwaya on Tuesday after he raised a matter of urgent public importance over an audit which has seen senior officers at Ministry of Finance and Auditor General’s office transferred.
Mutti said investigations should be allowed to proceed without any interference from anyone.
“Remember this item has made a lot of headlines in the paper. And before I even answer in detail or react in detail to the concerns that have been raised by the honourable member for Lunte today, there was an article in the paper that the director general of the Anti-Corruption Commission is prepared to show the honourable members of parliament who are disputing the wrongs that happened at the Ministry of Finance,” she said. “So it’s not something that we can condemn or tolerate just without knowing what is actually happening on the ground, the facts on the ground. So anyway, in any event, you honourable member for Lunte this matter you raised it the other day on Friday, you asked the honourable leader of government business (Vice-President Mutale Nalumango) she responded. You are again bringing it and in accordance with standing order 67 of our standing orders, repetitious questions are not allowed.”
Mutti said there is no need for worry, as government is carrying out investigations.
“In any event the government is aware investigations are being carried out as you have said they are appearing before either DEC or ACC. So the investigations are ongoing. Let’s allow the investigations to proceed without any interference from anyone. If these members are going to be found innocent, they will be cleared. There is no need for worry. I think the worry should come from everyone, the people who are supporting or who are against the removal and the people have removed. Government money has been lost and it’s not little money, it’s a lot of money,” Mutti said. “So let’s not worry about things, about unfair treatment, illegal [audit]…Unjust treatment is just the course, it is just the conditions of service that if you are found wanting you can either be transferred or suspended. In this case they have even been transferred. They should have been suspended so that investigations can be carried out. So let’s not worry about.”
And finance minister Situmbeko Musokotwane said the new dawn administration is not going to sweep any suspicions under the carpet.
“Madam Speaker, as you have said, suspicions were raised and the culture of this government is not to sweep any suspicions under the carpet. Madam Speaker, you notice that this is in big contrast to what happened before. For example, the previous government (PF) ministers would be arrested but they will be left to sit in their offices, thereby hampering investigations. Madam Speaker, you recall that under the previous government, a number of people were injured, some were even killed in cold blood. Madam Speaker, in light of this when the suspicions were raised this government could not act like the previous government where high suspicions came up and nothing was done,” he said. “It was decided under this government that something must be done. In other words, investigations. Now, if you are going to investigate people, unlike in the past…So that witnesses and other investigators are free to investigate without hinderance. And this is what has happened. But Madam Speaker, I also want to say that these transactions did not take place under this government. These transactions took place when our colleagues, the PF, were in government.”
Dr Musokotwane said people should maintain their cool and allow investigators carry out their duties.
“Madam Speaker, investigations are investigations. If it will be found that the people have no case to answer, nothing will happen to them. But if it is discovered that from the time when they were there illegal transactions took place, then obviously the due process of the law must take its course,” said Dr Musokotwane. “So there is no reason whatsoever Madam Speaker, what the concerns and to think that we are targeting people or that we are trying to molest innocent people, it is nothing like that. It’s just following the good process of good governance and there is no need for anyone to panic whether here or those who are affected. Let’s just maintain our cool, let the investigating agencies do their work.”