The Auditor General’s report for the financial year ended 2008 has revealed that of an estimated total sum of K151,312,039,159 that was expected to have been collected from immigration fees and charges, only a total of K89,820,840,718 was collected.
According to the report released in Lusaka yesterday, this resulted in an under collection of K61, 491,198,441 representing 41 percent of the budget.
An examination of financial and other records maintained at the immigration headquarters, Lusaka International Airport, Livingstone, Ndola, Mwami border and Mazabuka carried out in July 2009 revealed that revenue totaling K282, 927,000 collected from the five stations during the period under review could not be accounted for in that there was no evidence that the money was banked.
It further reported that contrary to financial regulation No.10 (n), there were a total of 528 permits valued at K839 million that were not made available for audit.
The AG’s report further stated that eighteen (18) receipt books and ten (10) cash books for Mwami station and 24 recent books for Lusaka International Airport used during the period under review were not produced for audit.
The report said though these matters were brought to the attention of the controlling officers, no action has been taken as of December 2009.
Meanwhile, the AG’s report has also revealed that Passport and citizenship office collected revenues totaling K12,126,765,000 against the budgeted figure of K15,281,571,500.
This resulted in an under-collection totaling K3, 154,806,500 representing 26 percent of the total budget.
The report also said that an examination of records at Passport Office headquarters and selected stations carried out in October 2009 revealed that the situation has not improved.
The report observed that the state of affairs was due to weaknesses in the issuance of passports at Lusaka and Ndola Offices in that in certain cases 48 paged passports were being accounted as 32 paged passports.
It was observed in this regard that one hundred and thirty five 48 paged passports were accounted for as 32 paged passports resulting in a loss of K32, 600, 000.
The report also noted that reconciliations of expected collections from passports issued against actual collections were not being done.
In this regard, a verification of amounts collectable against actual collections from passports issued from August 2008 to September 2009 revealed that a total amount of K2, 123,251, 438 was not accounted for.
The AG’s report further disclosed that revenues collected from provision of express services amounting to K8, 120, 000 for Lusaka and K8, 600, 000 for Ndola could not be accounted for in that no cash was found on hand and there was no evidence of banking.
The reported stated that despite the matter being brought to the attention of the controlling officer, no response had been received as of December 30, 2009.
Meanwhile, Estimates of revenue and expenditure for the financial year ended December 2007 and 2008 for the Registration, Births and Deaths revealed weaknesses in the budgeting system.
The report disclosed that amounts of K204, 430,060 and K841, 196, 855 were to be collected under the National Registration, Births and Deaths against which collections of K1, 938,694,464 and K485, 899,200 were made in 2007 and 2008 respectively.
The report said an examination of revenue records maintained at headquarters and a visit to selected districts carried out in 2009 revealed amounts of K204, 430,060 and K841, 196, 855 were to be collected in 2007 and 2008 against which collection of K1, 938,694,464 and K485, 899,200 were made in 2007 and 2008 respectively.
This resulted in an over collection of K1, 734,264,405 which has represented 848 percent of the budget. The report however said there was an under collection of K355, 297,655 in 2008 which was 42 percent of the provision.
It further said while the collections for 2007 were K1, 938,694,464 the collections for 2008 were only K484, 8999,200 resulting in a drop in revenue collection of 75 percent.
It was stated that there were delays in banking revenues for the period ranging from four (4) to 17 days involving amounts totaling K10, 419,400 collected during the period January to December 2007 despite the proximity to banking facilities contrary to financial regulations.
There were also revenue collections in amounts totaling K12, 003, 500 that were not accounted for in that there were no deposit slips to show proof of banking and the cash was not on hand.
ZANIS
Its desease to steal in this country. The little resourses that are left after the thieves steal are further stolen by a few people ion power. This Kleptocratic management is sickening!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Zambia is not well managed because there is no way all departments of the government can be stealing in this manner. May this is causedd by appointing of MMD party cadres to be incharge of the all departments at the expense of civil servants. This country is being rooted by the MMD.
Zambia is indeed a failed state! I dont understand why donors continue throwing money in this bottomless pit. Meanwhile, the comedy of errors continues!
Yaba ichi ichalo chililubana over, same, same even commenting at this point becomes so boring. Lesa twafweni 8->
MEANWHILE THERE IS AN OVER SUPPLY OF THE SO CALLED ACCOUNTANTS IN THE COUNTRY,WHAT DO THEY LEARN ?HOW TO STEAL GRZ MONEY?PLEASE CHANGE THE ACCOUNTING SYSTEM IN GRZ WE DO NOT NEED YOUNG GRADUATES FROM DONOR COUNTRIES TO COME AND TELL US WHAT WE ALREADY KNOW.THE SOLUTION IS SIMPLE CHANGE THE RULES .MADAM FIRE BRIGADE ,OOH I,MEAN AG YOU ARE OF NO USE TO THE COUNTRY MONEY IS ALREADY LOST WE NEED TO HAVE SYSTEMS INPLACE WHICH STOPS THIS ROT ONCE AND FOR ALL .MAKING HEADLINES ABOUT UNACCOUNTED FOR MONEY IS NOT GOING TO HELP.THERE IS NEED FOR FRESH IDEAS FROM FRESH PERSON .ONE SOLUTION TO THIS IS MAKE PASSPORT OFFICE CASHLESS ALL MONEY MUST BE PAID DIRECTLY INTO THEIR ACCOUNT AT THE BANK OR POST OFFICE APPLICANTS MUST ONLY SHOW PROOF OF PAYMENT LINKED TO YOUR ACOOUNT.IF OTHER COUNTRIES CAN DID
continued”,it why can’t we did it”.Rich countries do accept cash payments be cause it is a lot of work and so many risks are involved like robberies and theft by public servant like in this case.I hope some one is reading my suggestion ,and act before it is too late.We can’t have the same story year in and year out and the AG keeps her job am sorry to say has failed miserably.we are fed up with these’ fancy headlines.’To act is now.They are so many Zambians who can do this job perfectly well.
CORRECTION:rich countries do NOTaccept cash
Yaya, you have the best solution for ZRA, Immigration & other GRZ departments & ministries. In some developed countries which I know of, passport fees are payed at the post office. Immigration & passport etc which be cashless. efpos machines are okay but not cash. but these thieves will fight your idea tooth and nail. may be, we need World Bank & IMF to enforce this rule since our thieving leaders are toothless to do so
Senior Citizen and fellow ass licker Patiot, what do you have to say to this report? As the biggest ass lickers the country has ever known on GRZ payroll, do you think RBB is a good CEO of zambia.Conversional wisdom has it that you can not be a very good CEO when your company keeps making losses.Why did KK fire him at Namboard? He failed to make it as a commercial farmer in Chipata. For once why can’t he put his ass down and start doing what he is employed to do? He is busy diverting the country’s resources to his farm in Chipata.In his mind this is his last chance to plunder as much as he can, he does not care whether MMD wins or loses in the next election as long as he accumulate as much as he can while it lasts.