Government has expressed concern at the high number of ministries, provinces and spending agencies being cited for audit queries as this has the potential to undermine public confidence in the executive and more fundamentally the adverse effects on the performance of the public sector and service delivery.
The concerns by Government arise from the Auditor General’s report for the financial year ended 31st December, 2019 and the Covid 19 Interim Report which have cited some controlling officers for irregularities.
Secretary to the Cabinet Simon Miti in a press statement issued last evening says 25 controlling officers have since been charged by Cabinet Office in accordance with the performance contracts as highlighted in the reports.
Dr Miti said the decision to take disciplinary action was arrived at by cabinet Office during its 22nd meeting held on 26th October 2020.
“Consequently, cabinet at its 22nd meeting held on 26th October 2020 directed that disciplinary action be taken on all officers who would be cited in the report. To this effect, 25 controlling officers have already been charged by cabinet office in accordance with the performance contracts for the omissions and commissions as highlighted in the reports,” Dr Miti stated.
The Secretary to the Cabinet said depending on the exculpatory statement provided, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against erring controlling officers and their staff.
Dr Miti stated that the 25 controlling officers will appear before the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee in due course as this was in respect of violations of the Public Finance Management Act No. 1 of 2018 and the Financial Regulations of 2006.
And Dr Miti says Government has however commended 37 controlling officers for adhering to the financial management regulations and attaining the target of zero audit query.
Dr Miti said Government has provided the necessary institutional and regulatory framework for management of public funds, which includes creation of audit committee in each ministry, upgrading of the finance cadre to director level and the establishment of the internal audit oversight committee which provide technical support on the verifiable action taken to resolve all outstanding audit queries.
Dr Miti further said controlling officers have been attending various meetings where are reminded of the importance of resolving audit queries timely in their institutions.
Wow ? send them to jail with hard labor
There so many I don’t like, even this Simon Miti, I don’t like him at all.
Laugh out loud @ this joke.
Finally,what took us so long?
What happened to Miti as controlling officer when Kapoko kapocketed millions under his nose from the MoH? Playing smart? Sacred Cow? Just to keep the record alive for future action.
Make them pay back the monies they misappropriated
And what about the big fish? I will only believe this story when I see them in court. We know this out going government very very well.
DR Miti should be the last person to talk about how the monies meant for covid has disappeared! have disappeared! Dr miti was controlling officer at MOH when K1.2 billion was unaccounted for, he was the big fish the as PS, but he went scot free ! We the people of Zambia have not forgotten , next year the new govt should bring about an investigation and a proper commission of enquiry , I know Dr Miti will be fun wanting
Dr Miti and convicted Kapoko were jointly siphoning K1.2 billions and Miti was further rewarded while Kapoko went to Chimbokaila. Zambian two justice systems. Who can listen to Miti?
Do as I say and not as I do. If this had happened while Miti was at the MOH, he would not be sitting in that seat today. Now, he rides the high horse.
These are cases of
” monkey see , monkey do ”
Lungu is the only leader in the world who does not deny that he is a corrupt theif……….
The man is probably using his narrow escapes to make better decisions and bring others to account. That is how history can serve. I would like a next logical step of some form of judicial process that brings those culprits to culpability so the punishment can serve as an example to other monkeys waiting in the wings. I know the Bembas are annoyed with this example but a mbuya you know rats are too small to use as examples ndawa.
In February 2016, Dr Msiska warned controlling officers to seriously read and analyse the amended constitution since all queries from the Auditor General’s report will first be handed over to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for possible prosecution.
It has taken FOUR years.