Covid funds fest at CMST

In an interview, Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency (CSAT) executive director Willy Kambwandira said authorities should take action against the named officers but bemoaned that previous reports have failed to bring the needed responses from relevant offices.

“We are not surprised at all as this has been the culture now, for us this is an organised scheme that was plotted to defraud government. Why should it take an external audit when there are institutional checks and balances at CMST?

“This is an indication of wide scale conniving and colluding of public officers. We strongly believe that there are already measures in place, but what we see are tendencies of negligence of duty and intentions to defraud taxpayers. It is a common practice that people in government can do such things and walk away with it.”

Kambwandira asked authorities to take action against individuals and companies that broke the law.

Herbert Chandilanga, CMST spokesperson said management is reviewing the audit findings.

“Management is looking into the report in liaison with the Board.”

. But Minister of Health Khumbize-Chiponda said in an interview yesterday, the ministry will study the report and ensure where necessary disciplinary action is done.

“The report has just reached my table. They will go through the same processes as any other civil servants. They will not be treated differently.   If there is a need for us to recover the money, we will do so,” she said.