Transparent International Zambia (TIZ) has welcomed the decision by Finland and Sweden to seek for a refund from ZNFU for the alleged misappropriated K34 million.
TIZ Director Goodwell Lungu said there was need for all funding organisations in the country to keep check of funds meant to benefit the people in the country especially the vulnerable.
Mr. Lungu said his organisation was deeply saddened with reports of misappropriation of donor funds.
He has since called for stern action against all perpetrators.
Yesterday, Sweden and Finland resolved to seek for a refund of the K 34 million allegedly misappropriated by the Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU).
Embassy of Sweden Deputy Head of Mission David Wiking said although the official process has not yet commenced, the two embassies have legal grounds to reclaim the funds.
Mr. Wiking, who is also Head of Bilateral Development Cooperation, disclosed that his country and Finland will not continue funding ZNFU under the existing agreements with the union.
He said the two countries have taken the bold decision of claiming a refund following the recent two corrective financial reviews carried out by KPMG of Finland.
Mr. Wiking was speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday and was flanked by Swedish and Finnish Ambassadors to Zambia, Hendrik Cederin and Timo Olkkonen.
And Mr. Wiking said the embassies of Sweden and Finland will continue to carry out regular and special audits on all its funded projects in Zambia to prevent further misappropriation of funds.
All Donor must follow this precident. Too much stealing by individuals who hide behind gobrGivt! Enough!
Too much stealing by individuals who hide behind Government. Ala Kapopo, Austin
Why is TIZ waiting for donors to see irregularities first instead of them being in the forefront unearthing such scums? Why talk more about politics (pvts) instead of stumping out such crookedness? Does Goodwel even feel ashamed of being called TIZ director when a lot of dirty transactions are taking place in the country yet he knows nothing? He is not worth a cent of his hefty salary for heavens sake.
This is not just embarrassing, but will do a lot of damage to the trust donor countries have for Zambia. The government needs to take it very seriously. After this, unless the Zambian government shows that it’s serious about fighting corruption, by investigating this case thoroughly and sending some guilt corrupt people to prison, we shouldn’t expect anymore donations from Finland and Sweden anytime soon. And not only these two donor countries, but other countries will be hesitant too in making donations. Because, apparently, we lack proper and convincing checks and balances in our country. The government should act quickly and decisively and bring the culprits to book.
The ZNFU officials used the money to build homes in Chalala and new Kasama.
Coillard and his team should pay back the money.
They can only hide behind government if they know it has a relaxed approach against corruption …. There has been no indication of aggressive approach against corruption by current government and by Current I mean the PF in its 5 year term.
We sanitize these people’s acts with nice terms, but the correct term for these people is …they’re criminals. They’re thieves, not different from any other thief out there. Taking what don’t belong to you, and making it your own without the owner’s consent is stealing. So they should be treated as common criminals and get locked up. Unfortunately I don’t see that coming, because there’s no strong evidence that PF is interested in fighting corruption. I just feel sorry for Zambians who live in Sweden and Finland. Very embarrassing to realize that people in your host country know that you come from a corrupt country, where the money that was meant to help the poor, was pocketed by some corrupt crooked individuals.
I also welcome this decision. Long overdue. PAY BACK THE MONEY. Heartless individuals, I am sure the money was meant to empower poor small-scale farmers, but these heartless and crooked people lined their stinking pockets. They shouldn’t just pay back the money, but they must be prosecuted as well.
And someone needs to make sure the culprits are jailed too. Cha nsoni sana
HERE IN ZAMBIA THERE IS NO JUSTICE AND CRIMINALS ARE PROTECTED SPECIES SO THESE TWO COUNTRIES SHOULD TAKE THEM AND TRY THEM IN THEIR OWN COUNTRIES. EMBARRASING FOR US ZAMBIANS.
Expose the names and NRC s of the suspects involved. Some individuals are genetically born heartless criminals.in some villages where those criminals are originating from, such criminals are highly celebrated.when will this pay day be!?
Has Lazy Lungu’s ministers paid back our money?
Some Zambians will never stop stealing. Ministry of Health was a serious culprit leading to the country not receiving health funds directly but through UNDP. But still people continue to abuse their positions. Something needs to be done.
Its Zambia.
Wapya munzi. Please no scapegoats. We want the big fish.Am saying so because most of the time real culprits escape and the innocent get prosecuted. We also want serious pronouncements and action against corruption from you ba president ECL in this term of office.
Its very easy. Just look at the multi story mansions these individuals are building, evaluate their income and grab the difference. It is very surprising how individuals are building plash mansions you only see in movies when the banks don’t even give loans.
ZNFU Officials very corrupt, getting rich using donor funds at an expense of our children who are malnourished, hungry, have no education, appear dirty, and vagabonds! Oh my God, Dambo Dambo the TONGA bull you have no shame at all, like a Katangese monkey you eat with both hands monies meant for food security programs. have a ‘sigh of relief’ you are not the only thieving organ in Zambia, but International NGOs especially those from Consortium Group on International Agriculture Research (CGIAR) are the hubs of thieves. they have no shame they steal thousands, millions in USD.
Donor countries be alive to the function of protecting your tax payers money.
When you have corruption at state house and state house has become a den for corruption deals, you expect corruption everywhere. this request is welcome
Awaiting a press briefing to see the ZNFU/government hand this money back. Dont just celebrate when getting loans/grants/bonds and whatever form of kaloba there is. Lets see you publicise payments as well. Be honourable for once!
Old news.We all know every sector of the government is corrupt.Zambians are scared to speak up, and excuse themselves as peaceful people.so much for one Zambia one nation.
There are 4 things that will happen: Donors will withdraw funding, some people will be sent to jail, assets will be seized and government will have to foot those demands
criminals come in all colors as evidence in znfu white fellas are in forefront chewing donor money. Sweden & Finland why didn’t you cooperate with GRZ line ministries.
@Clerk. GRZ line ministries were the first to plunder such funds, so the donor countries decided to deal directly with ZNFU.
Ati TIZ, what is the role of some these useless NGO’s that just appear active during elections for PVTs…bull cr*p really! Please you donors do not relent until every stolen penny is recovered.
What is the Police waiting for to arrest these culprits. Since the story leaked out they have failed to respond to the allegations. They should not just pay back back the money but face the wrath of law. My surprise is the delay by government to make the Board accountable. Surely we do have a way of regulating such Institutions unless there are some government officials also involved in this scam. The President of ZNFU should take the lead in resigning.
PAY BACK THE MONEY.
Shouldn’t the Zambia Police Service be involved in this matter ? Is theft and embezzlement not a serious crime ?
Police seem to be only interested in bribes at roadblocks and being involved in politics.
NEXT MOVE IS ON MONEY FOR ROADS CONSTRUCTION. PLEASE CHECK ON THE SOLWEZI ROAD FUNDED BY THE 3 CONTRACTORS WHO SOME HAVE MOVED OUT FROM THE SITE MAKING ROAD USERS AND VILLAGERS DIE WITH DUST.
TWAYANDA KUNO KU SOLWEZI.
It’s normal in Zambia for as long as PF is in control, PF stole 8000 votes during elections and nothing happened, their ministers have stolen in salaries and allowances and they are being celebrated by useful ijjoots in tununa reverse, Chipata MP elect Mawere stole and he will soon be made minister. This is Zambia where thiefs are celebrated and hero worshipped
Don’t give any more money to corrupt pf they will just steal like they stole our votes also.
@Dave just go and check on these and you’ll be shocked to find that they are all Upnd. It pains me when a known bribe taker calls that government is corrupt.