By Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba
National Audit Office Under Attack
■ The National Audit Office was doing routine annual work covering 2021 and 2022.
■ Reports emerged that serious audit concerns around fertiliser procurements, cancellation of hunting licences and other financial irregularities were raised.
That’s when the crack-down purporting that Law Enforcement Agencies were pursuing a case of unearned or fraudulently obtained allowances.
■ Zambia’s Auditor General, Mr. Dick Chella Sichembesummoned to the Anti-Corruption Commission.
■ Last month Government removed and suspended two deputies to the Auditor General, Ms Clara Mazimba and Mr. Francis Mbewe.
■ Government also removed and suspended Mr Chibwe Mulonda, Controller (Permanent Secretary level) of Internal Audit.
■ Government removed and suspended all Directors of Internal Audit at the Ministry of Finance. These are; Francis Ngwenya, Ms. Barabina Mporokoso, Ms. Esther Mutengwa, Ms. Norah Sichilongo, Mr. Gregory Kabwe, Ms Jamie Nkuwa.
■ Salaries for lower staff in Internal Audit and Accounts Department have been frozen and gheir accounts frozen too.
Lunte Nember of Parliament, Hon. Mutotwe Kafwaya blew the whistle.
“The Auditor General is under severe attack,” Hon. Mutotwe stated. “This is in order for the UPND Government to circumvent accountability going forward. UPND wants to project and perpetuate lies (ubufi, boza) about their standard of governance.”
“Just go like Siyuni did, posterity will judge you right,” Hon. Mutotwe said. “The worst for you is not just losing your job. I am not a prophet, but I can assure you that for this government to justify your dismissal, they will take you to investigative agencies. Soon, you will be a client of ACC, DEC & police. Do not be unsettled, remain professional. All these maneuvers will be aimed at staining your professionalism to justify your removal.”
