Security wings have questioned former vice-president, George Kunda and former minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry Felix Mutati in the acquisition of the controversial border scanners at a cost of over K100 billion.
The investigators quizzed the two former MMD leaders in connection with suspected illegalities in the acquisition of eight border scanners.
Mr Mutati arrived at the former offices of the task force on corruption on Buluwe Road in Lusaka’s Woodlands area around 14:00 hours on Wednesday.
His appearance was in connection with reports that the awarding of tenders for the purchase of scanners by the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) was marred with irregularities.
Spokesperson of the combined team of security personnel, Charity Chanda, confirmed the development and said Mr Mutati’s appearance was meant to help the team understand what he knew about the tender process in the ZRA deal.
This is in a matter in which ZRA is being investigated on allegations that the tax collector single-sourced for the job with the influence of some senior Government officials.
Mr Kunda is reported to have issued an illegal statutory instrument last year to sanction collection of ‘inspection fees’ of K360,000 from each transporter by Bradwell International, a company contracted by the Zambia Revenue Authority to manage scanners.
Mr Kunda, who was then Republican vice-president is said to have authorised in August last year, the collection of the money from each transporter even in ports where there were no scanners to pay 85% to Bradwell International. The remaining 15% went to the Government.
Finance and National Planning Minister, Alexander Chikwanda has since revoked Mr Kunda’s statutory instrument and abolished the K360,000 which was being levied on transporters.
Mr Kunda in a separate interview denied the allegation and said the statutory instrument was signed within the law.
And Mrs Chanda said both Mr Mutati and Mr Kunda were appearing as witnesses because of their knowledge and involvement in the matter.
Recently, former ZRA Commissioner-General, Wisdom Nhekairo was warned and cautioned by the security team.
Mr Nhekairo referred further queries to the police.
And the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has pounced on two senior management officers at Zambia Red Cross Society (ZRCS), who are currently being investigated by the commission for various offences including money laundering activities and seized six motor vehicles from them.
DEC acting public relations officer, Samuel Silomba, who confirmed the development in Lusaka yesterday said the motor vehicles were seized early this week.
In an interview in Lusaka, Mr Silomba said investigations into the matter involving ZRCS senior management officials have reached an advanced stage.
However, he could not name the affected officers but said the nation would be kept informed of any latest developments at Zambia’s largest humanitarian organisation.
Efforts to get a comment from ZRCS Secretary General, Charles Mushitu proved futile as his mobile phone was switched off while another senior officer Mr James Zulu, could not comment referring all queries to Mr Mushitu.
Meanwhile, sources within the society revealed that some motor vehicles belonging to the organisation were being parked and hidden in different locations in Lusaka, where the commission could not find them for fear that they could be seized as well.
The sources said the organisation had been grounded following the sudden closure in December last year after senior managers received immense pressure from the commission to stand aside to pave way for investigations.
The workers complained that management communicated to them through telephone calls and text messages informing them that the organisation has been closed until January 8, 2012 but that was not the case.
The employees said that as things stood, they received information that the humanitarian organisation might not resume operations soon because of the on-going investigations.
The workers also complained that they had not yet received their salaries dating back to September last year and appealed to the government to intervene.
[Times of Zambia]
Indeed PF has no direction and going by how they are running national affairs Zambia is headed for a down fall. Chasing after corrupt people in previous regime is not the work you were elected to do but to develop Zambia by wooing investors, creating jobs, uniting the divided nation, and upholding the rule of law. Instead of doing what will benefit the country, you are concetrating your energies of witch hunting your percieved enemies.
Failing to get my head round percentage allocations between GRZ and Brackwell fimo fimo, i hope our all – knowing dear brother Assistant Chief MMD bootlicker will shed some more light on this one
What is the procedure for making a SI ? Is it not supposed to go through Parliament? or can the Minister of justice prepare and approve without Invoving parliament? can someone help?
mutati clean,very clean.am sure even the poor so called security wings could not understand his explanations because they are below par and no match to this big brain.2016 presido
Please extend such investigations to Zambia National Blood Transfusion service, they are stealing a lot of money that needs to be used within MoH. They receive and grant from GRZ and direct funding from Donors Pliz investigate the three directors and their senior accountant
Zambia. Zambia. No wonder Westerner, Northwesterners, Lambas, Central and Lozis dont want this govt. They want Kinkunende (comfort) and development not political witch hunt. Zambians brace y’selves for for by elcetions. PF wants majority in Parley. I feel for Zambians especially non bembas.
Mutati Labels Zambians as Dull who would not understand Anything, He refused to release any Information on Sale of ZAMTEL. With all respect to the Man, He should not think to be the only super genius Zambian. How would he get Involved with Boarder Scanning Machines? Was ZRA under Ministry of Trade or I thought they reported to Ministry of Finance??
VP red lips Also Involved? Zambian Government under MMD had no clear segregation of Duties in these Ministries. “: It’s like the country operating on” who was close to Plot one??? NO wonder Madam Dora grew so Big Headed that she had no respect for citizens. SATA please stop this Nonsense.
DOWNLOAD THE ZAMTEL REPORT ZAMBIANS. Read It so that you know who these people are??? THEAVIES!!!!!
Please extend investigations to BOZ over aquisition of bullion vans,escort vehicles and note counting machines
bushe mu RED Cross namo mwalibe indalama?……..people can steal……zambians…hish…
@ SHEIKH
read EARNST& YOUNG report before you get excited with sebastian zulu`s wims to satisfy his boss.it`s total roooobish
There’s nothing to read in EY report you dummy.. That was a business report by business people earnign huge fees to facilitate a fraudulent business deal.. The SZ report was an open public investigation into all circumstances and transaction, bordering on fraud, crime and misappropriation by all those involved.. You are so dull.. Have you ever read or understood the content, structure and purpose of auditor’s report and opinion???? Everyone now knows they are self serving and trash .. ask funders of ENRON, PARMALAT, AGRIFLORA(KPMG), NORTHERN ROCK, LEHMAN BROTHERS list goes on.. kee your limited knowledge of business to yourself. Cheers.
Dr. K,
Security agencies are not PF Government. So you would rather some shadow company is receiving revenue at the border on behalf of RB while the Goovernment struggles to provide social services to its people????
@10 Joe Hunter…. There’s nothing to read in EY report you dummy.. That was a business report by business people earnign huge fees to facilitate a fraudulent business deal.. The SZ report was an open public investigation into all circumstances and transaction, bordering on fraud, crime and misappropriation by all those involved.. You are so dull.. Have you ever read or understood the content, structure and purpose of auditor’s report and opinion???? Everyone now knows they are self serving and trash .. ask funders of ENRON, PARMALAT, AGRIFLORA(KPMG), NORTHERN ROCK, LEHMAN BROTHERS list goes on.. kee your limited knowledge of business to yourself. Cheers.
Why is PF secretary general not being asked about where they got 50,000US dollars that they paid the Kenyan consultant? Why is it not an issue, the source of funds for PF to hire Helicopter? Why is it not an issue regarding the 40, 000 or is it 27 000 US dollars that was confisticated at the Airport in South Africa? since HH’s house has become an issue now?
Imwe ba Times of Zambia, if Finance Minister Alex Chikwanda “has since revoked Mr Kunda’s statutory instrument and abolished the K360,000 which was being levied on transporters” then Hon Kunda could not “have issued an illegal statutory instrument last year”. The Statutory Instrument was perfectly legal if it had to be revoked.
# 7 SHEIKH. Read all reports and live with balanced state of mind. Are you aware PFgovt is managed single handedly by Mr Sata. Mr Sata creates provinces and districts in Zambia instead of constituional structures to carry out national delimitations for parliament to consider, appoints directors in institutions instead of boards to appoint, appoints chiefs in rural areas. He is a better cut above the rest of PF membership and Zambia who can talk back to him?
Why is the issue of Mandamnda bought by masebo not coming up??????????????