THE Auditor General’s report on parastatal bodies has revealed that the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) lost K1.4 million when it entered into a contract with a private company to translocate over 400 assorted species of wildlife from different national parks.
On August 7, 2012, ZAWA entered into an agreement with Muchinga Wild Game Capture services Limited at a contract sum of K1.4 million for the translocation of 450 wildlife species from various parts of the country and abroad to Lusaka and Mosi-Oa tunya national parks.
The report, however, revealed that ZAWA issued a Local Purchase Order (LPO) No.0544 on July 7, 2012, in favour of Muchinga Wild Game Capture services limited.
The LPO issued was questionable in that it was raised on July 7, 2012, which was before the evaluation and award of the bid on July 22, 2012.
Despite the contractor being paid in full, a scrutiny of records revealed that only 280 animals had been translocated leaving a balance of 170 animals outstanding.
Records obtained from Patents and Companies Registration Authority (PACRA) revealed that one of the shareholders and directors of Muchinga Wild Game Capture Services was Dr Wigganson Matandiko who was at the time the head of the veterinary unit of ZAWA.
“However there was no evidence that the officer had declared interest at the time of tendering for the contract,” the report stated.
Among the animals that have not yet been delivered are Blesbuck, Nyala and Blue Wilde Beast.
The report also revealed that the Director General of ZAWA authorised the establishment of a game ranch belonging to a Mr Don Stacey in Mkushi.
According to a review of a letter dated October 2, 2008, the ranch was invoiced K635, 738 for the animals found resident on the property on October 2, 2008.
As of October 2013, there was neither documentary evidence availed for audit to show that the amount of K635,738 had been collected nor was the debt reflected in the debtors’ ledgers.
The report also explained how ZAWA lost K730, 227 in a Short Message System (SMS) competition it entered into with then Celtel Zambia PLC trading as Zain Zambia.
ZAWA entered into an agreement to run an SMS competition on a 50 percent revenue sharing basis for a period of six months from March to August 2010.
It was projected that ZAWA would earn at least K16.7 million from the competition over a period of one month but from January 11, 2010 to September 10, 2010, ZAWA incurred expenses totalling K860, 201 on adverts, purchase of prizes and logistics.
However, only K129, 974 was realized from the competition resulting in a loss of K730, 227.
Under management of wildlife and game, a review of records related to fixed leases and variable fees revealed that there were six lodges in the Kafue National park that owed ZAWA amounts totalling K4, 296, 395 as of December 2013.
The lodges in question were Lily of the Valley, Rose of Sharon, Chuunga Camping site, Shishamba camp site, Kafue-Luasanza and Mukombo lodges.
not true at all. In fact owe the company