2 civil servants in trouble for corruption

2 civil servants in trouble for corruption

By George Zulu

THE Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has arrested two government officials in Mongu and Mansa for corruption-related crimes.

Those arrested are Kalabo district health director Dr Neto Mbwayu for corruption involving K43,000 and former Mansa District Hospital administrator Jackson Kaunda for abuse of office.

Timothy Moono, ACC, head of corporate communications, said Dr Mbwayu, 42, of Winela area in Kalabo, was arrested for failing to follow rules governing government procurement of goods and services.

“Dr Mbwayu has been charged with two counts of willful failure to comply with applicable guidelines relating to procurement, contrary to Section 34(2)(b), as read with Section 41 of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012,” he said.

Moono said Dr Mbwayu was also charged with making payments without authority.

“He has also been charged with one count of making a payment from public revenue for services not adequately rendered, contrary to Section 34(2)(a)(ii), as read with Section 41 of the same Act,” he said.

Investigations revealed that between January, 1, 2021 and December, 31, 2022 in Kalabo District, Dr Mbwayu, in his capacity as district health director at Kalabo District Health Office, willfully failed to comply with Ministry of Health procurement guidelines dated January 2, 2020 when he approved a payment of K39,000 to a named company for the purchase of two HP Pavilion laptops, an amount above his approval threshold of K30,000.

Moon also said Dr Mbwayu approved the purchase of the two laptops without a written request from the user department.

“Investigations have further revealed that during the same period, Dr Mbwayu authorised a payment of K4,000 from public revenue for the upholstery of an office motor vehicle seat, a service which was not adequately rendered,” he said.

Moono said the ACC in Mansa had charged Kunda with an abuse of office offence.

“Kaunda allowed JK Kellies General Dealers, a business in which he is a partner, to supply goods and services to Mansa District Hospital, where he was employed as hospital administrator,” he said.

Kaunda, 43, of Musenga Site and Service, is alleged to have on three occasions between February 1 and May 30 in 2022 allowed JK Kellies General Dealers, a business in which he was a partner, to offer goods and services without declaring interest.

“Mr Kaunda, 43, of Musenga Site and Service in Mansa, is alleged to have, on three occasions between 1st February and 30th May 2022, allowed JK Kellies General Dealers, a business in which he is a partner, to supply stationery amounting to K10,000, cleaning materials amounting to K9,950 and to service photocopiers at a cost of K1,000, to an entity in which he was employed as hospital administrator, a matter involving Mansa District Hospital, a public body,” said Moono.