Friday, March 29, 2024

Minister nabbed by DEC over academic qualifications

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LOCAL Government and Housing Deputy Minister Steven Masumba was yesterday arrested over his accounting qualifications but he argues that he did not forge his academic papers.

According to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Mr Masumba claims to hold an Accounting Technician Diploma from the National Institute for Public Administration (NIPA).

However, Mr Masumba scoffed at his arrest, saying he has all the necessary documents to prove that he graduated from NIPA.

He said his arrest is the work of his political enemies, who he alleged want to ensure he is completely ruled out of politics.

“I have all the necessary documents to prove I hold the diploma from NIPA. I have the list of graduands as published in the press and my name is there. I also have pictures of myself receiving the diploma from Nevers Mumba who was the guest of honour as then Vice-President at the graduation ceremony,” Mr Masumba said.

“This is meant to demean me. I am sure they are now celebrating but I want to assure you that the courts of law will tell you the truth at the end of all this. I am a very determined politician and I will remain firm and I will work to the expectations of the people,” Mr Masumba said.

The ACC charged Mr Masumba with obtaining pecuniary advantage through false pretences contrary to the Laws of Zambia.

ACC public relations manager Timothy Moono confirmed the development at a press briefing held in Lusaka yesterday.

“The ACC received reports that Mr Masumba sought employment at Lusaka Business and Technical College by falsely pretending that he held the qualification. We have today arrested him and he will appear in court tomorrow,” Mr Moono said.

Mr Masumba is MMD member of Parliament for Mufumbwe Constituency and one of the opposition political party legislators who were appointed as deputy ministers by President Sata.

Mr Moono said Mr Masumba was arrested for one count of obtaining pecuniary advantage by false pretences contrary to section 309a (2)c of the Penal Code as read with section 41 of the ACC Act number 42 of 1996.

Mr Masumba is alleged to have, on dates unknown but between December 1, 2005 and August 25, 2008, obtained employment for himself as an accounting officer at Lusaka Business and Technical College.

[Zambia Daily Mail]

45 COMMENTS

  1. This chap was in MMD, defected to PF. That tells you all you need to know. Poverty strcken, no principles A-hole. Arrest him. Next topic please.

  2. its easy mudala we don’t need your photos because photos can be forged, lets check with NIPA  and see when you enrolled and the courses you took and grades. The Institution must have your records if you were their student

  3. Chabipa, please investigate him, I am sure we have a lot looming about in Government offices with forged qualifications

  4. If one carried out an audit there are a lot of such cases floating around. Trouble in Zed as usual is we are selective, vindictive, and lastly prey on brinkmanship in management practice.

  5. Agony is to be led by kaponyas! Wats the essence of going to sch if u can get a ministrial job wthout valid papers?!!

    • Ba #7 ubufi muleke! When did you ever need formal qualifications/education to be a minister in Zambia? This guy got caught because he sought employment as an accountant at a college (Lusaka Business and Technical College), not as minister! Get the difference?!!!

  6. Interestingly,———when thiss guy was accepting his appointment as Deputy Minister by Sata , he said he was ditching the MMD becoz Sata & PF are more progressive than the MMD! It`s a pity his progress is being terminated.

  7. Yes, that is a good move, Check with Ukwa as well. He claim to hold a Degree from un known University

  8. But Sat also claims he has degrees that we never saw him study for. They must arrest Ukwa first is they are to be seen to be fair.

    • It was a claim and no paper is there to back up the claim. Say you will be arresting paper on speculations? Musamba has the paper with his name on it, but for Sata there is no such document!

    • Bwana, you can claim to be anything you want! But don’t go arround showing off fake papers/qualifications you did not truely earn and try to practice a trade/profession your are not qualified to do. Thats what “obtaining pecuniary advantage through false pretences” means—and that’s a crime which can send you to Chimbokayila for some time!

    • And by the way Sata’s job does not require that a person in his position (Zambian president) must have a college diploma or degree to qualify. So Sata can claim to have even a PhD and will not breaking any laws!!!

  9. Which year did you graduate baba?? Hope the NIPA registrar and Nevers Mumba will confirm that you graduated from that institution, otherwise uzakambila kusokolo

  10. How do we honestly have people with diplomas in leadership positions. No wonder this country can’t move forward because we have some mediocre people in influential positions. Such people can never comprehend the real science behind governance

  11. We shall include a clause in the new constitution that a president, minister and member of parliament should have at-least a diploma in-terms of qualification from a well recognized institution. Forged certificates shall attract severe penalty on the holder

    • Iwe, a diploma?! C’mon. Someone who is going to hold such a critical position must surely have way more than a diploma! They are running the country for crying out loud. In fact, they should even be some of the highest educated people in the country.

  12. This defeats the whole essense ogf going to school when u can make a certificate in the backyard and move on. Rubbish country

    • Try India or Nigeria! Zambia will look like a kids play. This problem is worldwide. I know people who have not completed their college education here in the USA and have shown up in Africa claiming to be PhD, Masters, and Bachelor degree holders. In fact in Zambia, most people who claim to be what they are not in terms of accademic qualifications are usually foreigners who come to Zambia looking for work. These people have even fooled companies and govt institutions here in the US despite America’s technological advances to check people’s claims. That’s how problematic and tough to police this issue is!!!

  13. I belong not to any part. but what i can say is that ba pf guyz nkalanikoni fair bcoz the measure that u measure your fri

  14. #12 Don P – We have diploma holders for leaders in zed coz unlike the degree holder arm chair critics, they have offered themselves for higher office.While you are busy with mouse & keyboard, the Dips are in touch with the grassroots.

  15. How difficult is it to check ones qualifications from NIPA…within Zed? I dont see the police making the arrest without checking this very simple detail…there is more to this case than meets the eye…
    Anyway, NIPA graduate a d/minister…AM GOING HOME TOMORROW!

  16. If the deputy minister has the papers from NIPA, why can’t the arresting officers go there and ascertain the claim. Please tell us if this has been done. What is going on, the man has even mentioned photos of Nevers Mumba officiating at the graduation. Maybe he was receiving a certificate a certificate and not diploma!!

  17. ACC must have already checked with NIPA. Investigations come before courts. How sad it will be if this man is found guilty. He may never be employed again.

  18. Another loss for MMD, prepare for By-elections MMD will lose the Election. A win for PF. Hope MMD cadres don’t call this a witch hunt

  19. Just ask that Minister a simple accounting qns ” what is double entry” He will not give you the right answer…shame PF is full of such baaba..starting from the top to mandevu chairperson who cant produce a single english word.

  20. Fellow countrymen,wait for the trueth and let the courts of law Judge him.I know the boy has made a lot of enemies especially bosting has cost him.Respect for pipo is very important in one’s life.

  21. How do these people get to build mansions overnight when their salaries speak that the can’t? Isn’t that an indication of thieving? 

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