Where is Auditor General’s office and the Financial Intelligence Centre?

IT is disheartening to see private companies conniving with procurement officers from public institutions to steal money from government institutions through procurement of goods and services.

One would want to ask where the Financial Intelligence Centre which makes so much noise when they perceive that politicians are involved when actual rampant theft of public funds is taking place between spending agencies and the selling private companies, also one would be quick to question the role of auditors in checking the transactions.

It is imperative for the auditors in the public service to change their approach, checking only the amount released and receipt given is not enough, they should check the invoices as well to ascertain what was paid for.

I have taken interest to investigate one government institution to compare what they paid for and what goods they were supplied. The figures this institution paid was more than what they were supplied, and copies of invoices that remained at the company and the one which was given to this institution had different items, meaning that this company helped the public buyer to steal government money, and it’s not one invoice several invoices, lots of money has been lost.

I have copies of these invoices for verification by journalists, officers from the Auditor General’s office, Anti-Corruption Commission, Drug Enforcement Commission and the Zambia police for verification and subsequent action. It’s high time this private company account for their action, this has been going on for a long time, and enough is enough.

I have a role to play in preventing the loss of Government funds through stealing in the supply chain system. There are four institutions of integrity that have been working with this same company for the same purpose.

The name of the company and the names of the government institutions concerned will be shared in due course. I’m available for more information and copies of the invoices.

ENOCK KAPITOLO, Lusaka.