The Ministry of Education is embroiled in a storm of controversy following revelations of a K3.6 million payment authorized by Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Joel Kamoko, without adherence to tender procedures or procurement guidelines. This glaring breach of the Public Procurement Act, 2020, and the Public Procurement Regulations, 2022, has ignited outrage and raised questions about governance and accountability within the ministry.
The latest Auditor General’s report highlights that Kamoko greenlit the payment to M-SAT Limited for an education software tool without prior clearance from the Attorney General or the involvement of any formal procurement processes. This unregulated transaction bypassed critical checks, an act described by critics as tantamount to purchasing everyday household items from a corner shop.
M-SAT was allegedly contracted to develop a digitalized annual census software intended to collect real-time educational statistics from schools across the country. While the software could potentially revolutionize how the Ministry of Education gathers data, the process by which the deal was struck casts a long shadow over its legitimacy.
Burdening Schools with Costs
Further compounding the issue, Kamoko directed all public and private schools to contribute K800 each to an M-SAT account for the software’s procurement. Contributions from government schools alone are projected to surpass K8.5 million. This directive has drawn widespread criticism from educators and stakeholders, who argue that it places an unnecessary financial burden on schools already grappling with constrained budgets.
“This is a blatant abuse of authority,” an anonymous school head stated. “Our schools are struggling to meet operational costs, and now we’re forced to channel funds into a deal shrouded in controversy.”
The Auditor General’s report paints a damning picture of the Ministry’s handling of the agreement with M-SAT Limited. The report confirms that the payment and engagement were executed without reference to the Ministry’s annual procurement plan, a fundamental requirement under Zambian law.
The Public Procurement Act mandates that all procurements follow strict guidelines, including competitive bidding, transparency, and approval processes, to safeguard public funds. By circumventing these procedures, Kamoko not only violated the law but also compromised the integrity of the Ministry.
“This is not just a lapse in judgment; it’s a systematic failure,” one procurement expert commented. “The lack of due process undermines public trust and opens the door to potential corruption.”
The revelations have sparked a wave of public indignation, with calls for Kamoko’s immediate resignation and a thorough investigation into the matter. Civil society organizations and anti-corruption advocates have demanded swift action to ensure those responsible are held accountable.
“This case underscores the urgent need for transparency in public institutions,” said a representative from an anti-corruption watchdog. “When procurement laws are flouted so brazenly, it sends a dangerous signal that public funds can be misused without consequence.”
This controversy strikes at the heart of governance and accountability in Zambia’s public sector. The Ministry of Education, tasked with nurturing the country’s future, cannot afford to be embroiled in scandals that erode trust and divert resources from critical programs.
The digitalization of educational data is undoubtedly a worthwhile initiative, but its execution must uphold the highest standards of transparency and fairness. The failure to follow procurement guidelines not only tarnishes the Ministry’s reputation but also risks undermining the potential benefits of such innovations.
As public pressure mounts, stakeholders are watching closely to see how the government will respond. Will Kamoko face disciplinary action? Will the procurement process be revisited to ensure compliance with the law? These are questions that demand immediate answers.
The Ministry of Education must act swiftly to restore public confidence and demonstrate its commitment to upholding the rule of law. Anything less risks deepening the cracks in an already fragile system.
For now, the spotlight remains firmly fixed on Kamoko and the Ministry of Education, as Zambians demand accountability and transparency in the handling of their resources.
Kangwa Mwikisa
Good governance under threat…
Please HH shut down government on Sunday night. State of emergency, this is too much.
Delete all PS. And that ambulance Indian.
On Monday morning, round up all the PS and lock them at Mukobeko. Those guilty, hang them on Wednesday.
A quick sweep is needed.
When I worked in the Civil Services in the 90s this was as common as the PS driving a car to his office. Payments without adherence to tender procedures or procurement guidelines were the order of the day. I reported some to the ACC but they were as toothless as the policemen and women who currently man roadblocks. Its a way of life and the President knows about it
Garbage out Garbage in…PF Bandits vs UPND Bandits…but according to Spaka its ok to steal and engage in corrupt practices for as long as you’re UPND and HH’s friend
Have you started smoking weed with your farmer friend Dejavu…….???
Fowardee 2031
Michael Chilufya Sata famously said he was allergic to corruption yet he bequeathed Zambia misrule,abuse of office and irresponsible debts.This PS Kamoko is a result of that.
It looks like one scandal after another as all
Officers taking law in their hands.we thought
things would be better in New dawn but looks
It’s getting bad.
Success against graft is not an event, it is rather a long journey with an uncertain destination date.Since FTJ we’re fighting it and we’ll still be fighting this monster in 2040 long after HH is gone.
This is just a tip of an iceberg….there’s alot of theft going on in UPND government…i would say unimaginable theft….now you can imagine what kind of personal deals the Supreme leader Ayatollah Hakainde Hichilema is making…..we need to find a way of getting rid of all Politicians
Guy wachicot—- Scandal after the other —-Old Prison structure waiting
And most Suppliers haven’t been paid at both ZAMMSA, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education. Government has failed to release funds on time to these important sectors for the entire November. I hope it’s not another scandal brewing. Let’s look into these sectors GRZ
And UPND members campaigned as if they were Angels or saints but it turns out they’re even worse than PF Bandits…and the Supreme leader Ayatollah Hakainde wants to change the constitution so that he can prolong his stay in office and all because he wants to continue stealing with his minions…I PERSONALLY CAN’T STAND ANY POLITICIAN…..
We are back to daily exposure of mismanagement of public funds. Should each political party have its own civil service? We are ar 60 but behaving like we are 6 years old. What is the solution to this never ending corruption and mismanagement. Transparency International Zàmbia and all concerned must put this injustice to bed by learning from the Asian tigers or Islamic laws to develop Zàmbia
Bane……
Wait for the full report from the ministry……..
It seems anyone can be allowed to write anything on LT……..
Even fantasy wild claims of corruption by the clique is published……….
Forwadee 2031
What report ??
Can it be believed anyway ???
Spaka cannot deny crime is at its highest now since Independence
and our protectors THE POLICE are equally involved with their well known antics
we in trouble for sure
The only unfortunate thing is we have no other alternative leader to pin our hopes on
Tikki, are you still arguing with KAPS?
He is as stubborn as our president who never listens to anyone and never sees corruption in UPND. Yet the prize is set to 2031 elections. Forward indeed.
They came, they won, they stole. HH cannot discipline his own people. He can only boast of conviction of PF leaders. Lest we forget, he ordered the ACC not to reveal his ministers who were under investigation.
I foresee a bloody 2026 elections. Believe me or not, it will happen.
Just a question ?? do you smoke weed as implied by someone :)) :))
#tikki what’s weed? We use some chemicals to clear our fields… not to smoke it. To answer your question I neither smoke or drink (alcohol).
He smokes………
You can tell when he hasent smoked….
Single sourcing can be a grey area, don’t people want any details these days than shouting thief? For example the company could have already been contracted for a related service delivery. It doesn’t automatically mean someone is stealing just because tender processes were not followed correctly
Whether a long established supplier or not due process has to be followed
especially considering the state of the economy and passed misdemeanors
Of course procedure should have been followed. What was provided for $133,000 and whether it is fit for purpose should also be investigated. It’s just not necessarily “theft”… We seem to have limited criminal vocabulary as a nation
Bapompwe #FM26
Country completely gone to the dogs. Govt might as well provide the names of who and how much money should be chekelakod for acquiring our rights such as birth certifcates, NRCs and passport. Mxc!
He ll just be told to go on leave and after 6 months when zambians are busy analysing another scandal, he will be retired quietly but not on that national interest bull-s reason. Period!
Unfortunately Spaka sees theft and corruption in UPND as ” fantasy”…..how can we develop Zambia with individuals like Spaka????
Stop smoking badala…..
BTW…..when is the fired former forigne minister being reinstated in GRZ as you so strongly promised…..???
Fo…fo…forwadee 2031
Haven’t we gotten tired of this corruption nuisance? When will the UPND gravy train be stopped? And by who? I think these guys deserve a volley of rotten tomatoes.
Tomatoes will indeed get you a couple of years in a rat and lice infested place
why not booing or turning and facing the other way
Some of these PSs may end up being hanged for corruption when in fact their real sin is just incompetence. A lot of them simply do not know their jobs. I get concerned when known thieves from gone regimes take delight in highlighting such incompetence by current PSs
Stop defending criminals….they make look stupid but they know exactly what they’re doing…you know some people use ignorance to defend themselves but in the actual sense they’re very smart…don’t be fooled
Kakubo was caught receiving a brown envelope from a Chinese Ambassador and he was caught on camera doing some illegal business Transactions…UPND cadre Kawana bought a brand new car for his wife and this is someone who had 379 dollars in his savings account on August 11, 2021
When is kabuko being reinstated as you promised……???
Kawana was investigated thoroughly…….
It was proven he got loans……
Is it illigal to get loans…….
Forwardee 2031
#Spaka Kakubo is no hurry to be reinstated…. he’s on GRZ payroll just like Nevas and Kavindele
Deja Vu
What proff have you got of this kapuko being on GRZ payroll ….??
Before blaming New Dawn Government let us remember a few facts. We had twenty years of MMD who believed that UNIP leaders were stupid and that why most of them retired poor. We had ten years of PF who believed that abomba Mwibala .. we all know how the saying goes and its consequences. It is therefore naive to believe that three years of New Dawn can whip all the corruption that has been going for decades. I also see that New Dawn has problems when appointing public servants.
These pipo don’t learn from what is happening to the PF cadres now ending up in prison and forfeited properties. Wait till this government is out they will face the same fate.
Here in the USA the Government knows how much money i make in a year and i pay my fair share of taxes to the US Government…in Zambia there’s no accountability…a civil servant in office for two years can own properties worth millions of Dollars…its called theft and the rot starts from the head..HH IS THE MASTER BANDIT
Come home and see how they are building mansions and driving posh automobiles. Three houses from mine some government employee has bought the house, brought it down and build a ” modern” one. In the mines thieving employees were cornered if the life styles changed beyond our pay.
@Spaka…people are busy stealing and you’re busy cheering and clapping for them Bandits…you need to have your head checked…You’re not a Patriot
How are I Cherrington corruption…….??
By saying I trust this will be delt with , wait for full details……..????
Just wait badala…….
The clique saw how effective SM was against PF corruption, only difference is PF did not respond , making things worse………
I belive there wil be a response, and if it is true , action will be taken……..
Forwadee 2031
We must as well bring back the Chief Carder himself, ECL. Better the devil you know!
NO NO NO ECL WILL DO WELL IN OPPOSITION ONLY NEVER EVER TO LEAD AGAIN
Actually ECL originated from the Upnd. It was failing to win parliamentary elections that he switched to PF and got the Chawama seat.
The more you see such stories, the more you appreciate KK. KK was the only president that genuinely rooted out corruption.
When it’s happening within the current regime, uja ndani just looks away. Corruption fight? My foot!
To start with Joel is not fit for PS position. He is too playful, excited and incompetent. We know he is very good friends with Douglas. This time, I will be very surprised if Joel doesn’t go. It’s very long overdue. Mistake was made at appointment time. Now is the time to amend it. Joel out and bring in someone else.
Are schools going to be refunded? The software/data base was never utilized by schools. Hence, those K800.00, were paid for nothing. Most schools had issues with Auditors over the K800.00, since they never received receipts from M-SAT.
Just wait for the response from GRZ…….
The clique saw how effective SM was against PF corruption, only difference is PF did not respond , making things worse………
So now the clique are out to paint GRZ as corrupt at every turn seeing how those allegations destroyed them………..
Lungu was being called a theif everyday , and he chose silence…….
The clique think they can pull off the same here, but unfortunately , this GRZ responds…..
this president acts on corruption…..
I belive there wil be a response, and if it is true , action will be taken……..
Forwadee 2031
Too many scandals, HH is a big letdown. He is incompetent.
Everyone in zambia it seems is ready o steal…….
Even the most diligent president would have a tough time in a nation of theives……..
Don’t forget, we had 10 years of semi legalised corruption and free handouts with PF…….
It has been said many times……it will take atleast 2 terms to wean the nation off corruption
Forwardee 2031
THe thieving SoB must be fired, prosecuted, found guilty and executed by firing squad!
Spaka….? How is that an excuse……? Didn`t the guy promise the country to drain the swamp? Second, isn’t it his appointees that involved in scandals?