Gambling must be regulated – docs

By NATION REPORTER PARLIAMENT yesterday heard that the management of public funds is a sacred trust that must not be abused, as debate on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report exposed widespread irregularities in the use of government resources. The report, presented by Chikankata Member of Parliament Jacqueline Sabao, revealed that about K12 million was advanced to 34 contractors who failed to deliver on their obligations. Ms Sabao said there was misconduct in some government institutions, including the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA), and called for action against those involved. “Management of public funds is a sacred trust which should not be abused. Those involved should face the law,” she said. Nkana Independent Member of Parliament Binwell Mpundu described the findings as disturbing and called for decisive action. “This is not a partisan matter but a national issue. Corruption must be fought not by mere rhetoric,” Mr Mpundu said. He cited cases in the Auditor General’s report where large sums were disbursed without corresponding works, including advance payments amounting to hundreds of millions of kwacha under various ministries. Mr Mpundu also raised concern over a contractor who is also a Member of Parliament and was paid millions without delivering any work. “These are very disturbing and heartbreaking issues,” he said. Lunte Member of Parliament (PF) Mutotwe Kafwaya said the report highlighted serious governance failures, including unauthorised transfers of funds and poor management of public assets. “This is bad not only for the government but for the country. Public infrastructure must serve the people and not become monuments,” he said. Mufulira Member of Parliament (PF) Golden Mwila called for controlling officers to be held personally accountable for irregular payments and urged authorities to blacklist contractors who failed to meet contractual obligations. He said abandoned projects and weak oversight systems continued to undermine public service delivery. However, Chief Government Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa dismissed assertions that the irregularities were unique to the current administration, stating that corruption in Zambia was systemic. “I served on the Public Accounts Committee for 10 years. The core problem of abuse of public resources is systematic and not one for UPND alone,” Mr Mweetwasaid. He said as a matter of fact advance payments to contractors were provided for under the law to enable mobilisation and should not automatically be interpreted as corruption. Mr Mweetwa also accused the opposition of politicising the report, saying Government had zero tolerance for corruption and would act on the findings. Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister Jack Mwiimbu said the current administration had taken steps to address past irregularities, including cancelling contracts worth billions of kwacha linked to previous regimes. “We have evidence. We cancelled contracts worth K12 billion. We will act arising from the report,” Mr Mwiimbu said. He cited past projects, including university developments and railway investments, where large sums were allegedly paid without corresponding works. Despite the sharp exchanges, Members of Parliament across the divide agreed on the need for accountability and stronger oversight mechanisms to safeguard public resources.

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