President Hichilema Fires Audit and Accounting Staff at Ministry of Finance and National Audit Office
● Fires both Deputy Auditor General.
● Fires Accountant General
By Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba
Another purge!
It’s matters like this that should concern the nation. In the midst of a comprehensive government audit of books of 2021 and 2022, President Hakainde Hichilema has purged staff involved in both internal and external audit of government funds.
Recently, Mnister of Finance, Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane appointed Grant Thornton, PriceWaterHouse, Ernst &Young and others to audit the domestic debt and arreas.
An uproar emerged when some of these private entities were sent to the Defence and National Security offices to audit, despite the law forbiding such an exercise to be done by the private sector.
Now he has purged the staff that do government and state owned enterprises…does he want his own men, compliant officers that will hide information? What’s the purpose of these dismissals?
Abisa nji?
Below is the story
HICHILEMA FIRES ACCOUNTING AND AUDIT STAFF AT MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND THE NATIONAL AUDIT OFFICE
● Fires Accountant General, Fires Deputies of the Auditor General.
Lusaka- Wednesday, 8th February 2023
President Hakainde Hichilema has fired accounting and audit staff at the Ministry of Finance and the National Audit Office.
Those affected are Mr. Chibwe Mulonda, Controller (Permanent Secretary level) of internal Audit, Mr. Kennedy Musonda, Accountant General, Clara Mazimba (Deputy Auditor General) and Francis Mbewe (Deputy Auditor General).
President Hichilema has also fired all Directors of internal Audit!
ThOse affected include;
1- Mr. Francis Ngwenya.
2- Ms. Barabina Mporokoso .
3-Ms. Esther Mutengwa.
4- Ms. Norah Sichilongo.
5- Mr. Gregory Kabwe.
6-Ms. Jamie Nkuwa.
He has since appointed Mrs. Nsandi Manza to act as Accountant General and a Mr. Sibale to act as Controller of Internal Audit.