SOUTHERN Province permanent secretary Annie Sinyangwe has pleaded not guilty to illegally awarding a procurement contract worth over K80,000.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) last week arrested Sinyangwe for alleged willful failure to comply with applicable procedure relating to procurement involving a K89,253.44 contract.
Sinyangwe, 48, of plot number sub G/16520 off Kasama Road near G-Green, Lilayi, was arrested over the alleged awarding of a contract for paving of Cabinet office car park to Moonstone Investments Limited.
Sinyangwe is charged with one count of willful failure to comply with applicable procedure relating to procurement.
She is said to have awarded the contract when she was permanent secretary at Cabinet Office in charge of administration.
When the matter came up for plea yesterday, Ms Sinyangwe said she understood the charge but denied having committed the offence.
“I understand the charge your honour but I deny it,” she told Lusaka magistrate Lameck Mwale.
Mr Mwale entered a plea of not guilty and adjourned the case to May 8 this year for mention and May 28 for commencement of trial.
It is alleged that Sinyangwe on unknown dates but between January 1, 2012 and August 31, 2012 in Lusaka, being a person whose functions as permanent secretary administration at Cabinet Office involved in the administration and management of public revenue or property, willfully failed to comply with the law and applicable procedure relating to procurement when she awarded a contract for paving of Cabinet Office car park.
The transaction is prejudicial to the interest of Cabinet Office, a public body under the government.
The charge is vague….!
Thievery among northerners is inborn.
why talking about small amounts talk of 6 million undiclosed us dollar and pounds from willie sanda what the way forward. when the nation is in need of us dollars someone is hiding the money in the house pf govt tell the nation how sanda acquired that money
Lets wait for the verdict.