Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) has expressed displeasure at the latest revelations that K34 million from the Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) was unaccounted for.
TIZ Information Officer, Charles Chulu, said in a statement made available to ZANIS in Ndola today that it is worrying to note that such a report came from a Non-governmental organization that represents a lot of people in Zambia.
Mr Chulu wondered why the report came from the Draft Forensic Report which indicated that K34 million was unaccounted for and that ZNFU did not know about it.
He stressed that ZNFU shares the concerns of the farmers and should the report on the said financial mismanagement be true, a lot of small scale farmers risk losing support following threats from the Finish and Swedish governments which will result in cutting funding to the institution.
Mr Chulu added that it is disheartening that one organization can allegedly mismanage K34million at the expense of millions of poor Zambians.
He further added that TIZ has since called for quick action from the law enforcement agencies to look into the revelations and ensure that the law takes its course in dealing with ZNFU officials.
Mr Chulu advised that other than prosecution and incarceration, outright dismissal of the officers who have allowed such irregularities at the expense of poor farmers should be exercised.
He said TIZ has made a further call to the investigative wings of the organization to ensure that whistle blowers are protected from losing their jobs, adding that ZNFU management and staff respond fully to the issues that have been raised in the audit report.
