Friday, March 29, 2024

Anti-Corruption Commission is still investigating the purchase of over priced Ambulances

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THE Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is still investigating the matter in which the Ministry of Finance is alleged to have bought ambulances at an overpriced cost of US$288, 000 per ambulance, ACC spokesperson, Queen Chibwe has said.

In an interview, Ms. Chibwe said that the investigations have not yet been concluded. She was responding to concerns over the delay to expedite the investigations into the matter.

She however stated that they would issue a statement on the matter in the 2021 fourth-quarter report.

“We are still investigating the matter and the general public and stakeholders must be patient. We will issue a statement on the matter in our 2021 fourth-quarter report,” she said.

The Ministry of Health through the Ministry of Finance is reported to have procured 50 ambulances at a cost of US$288, 000 each. The ambulances are said to have been procured through a contract awarded to Savenda Limited.

It is believed that the whole package cost the ministry of Health US$11.5 million because the ambulances had advanced equipment as they are purpose-built ambulances.

24 COMMENTS

  1. How long does it take to investigate a matter as simple as an overpriced tender? When were these ambulances procured? You will soon be disbanded for failing this nation

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  2. By now one would expect that the investigation was done and only waiting for the change of government. In short there’s nothing to investigate otherwise it’s pure incompetence.

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  3. @ Ayatollah
    Imagine….how long does it take to investigate such an easy case….and also is there any investigation on the 48 houses??? Just wondering because since it was discovered that it’s Musokotwane’s nephew the owner of the houses….UPND has become quite on the issue despite making alot of noise during campaigns on the same issue….imagine if the owner of 48 houses was Davis Chama or any other PF member

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  4. opps such clueless people.This organisation should just be dissolved. They failed in PF and wants to investigate now.They have even confidence to speak.The chaps are there for political scores period.They don’t work on their own.What a toothless organisation on earth

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  5. opps such clueless people.This organisation should just be dissolved. They failed in PF and wants to investigate now.They have even confidence to speak.The chaps are there for political scores period.They don’t work on their own.What a toothless organisation on earth.ok yaba

  6. ACC, DEC, FIC and Auditor General need a new team. Your role was always to investigate when things happen. The evidence is everywhere. All you need to do is get a quote from similar sources and compare. Of there is a difference then questions must be asked to the controlling officer (PS) if he can’t answer take him to court to explain why he overpaid using public money. If he can’t, lock him up. It’s time the permanent secretaries start getting locked up unless they help prosecution provide witness statements and evidence for those above them that aided the thefts.

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  7. Zambia is a useless country. Surely just checking the real cost of an ambulance over the internet and comparing the cost to those ones under the so called investigation can take this long?

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  8. It means that they have reached a dead end. Nothing will come out of it as usual. ACC is just being used to settle political scores and fix PF. Nothing about fighting corruption.

  9. I cant blame ACC totally, people lost employment by being Professional under PF. They have families to look after – Wakunguma Shapa and his fellow police officers are just one of the good examples. That’s why I strongly feel that Political Party should never rule this country again.

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  10. The ACC are mostly PF caders , that is why they are dragging their feet investigating the looting done under PF………..

    Change in personal is comming surely, and investigations into all overpriced scandals will be expedited……….

    We are waiting and watching…….

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  11. Hakainde or any other politicians should not be allowed to appoint officers at ACC. We should hold elections to select these officers like they do in USA for sheriffs for counties and towns. Leaving it to political appointment will just continue to decline.

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  12. 1. Go to the source of the ambulances and ask them what the price is.
    2. Compare with what was charged by the vendor.
    3. Ask the Ministry of Health why the vendor’s bid was chosen.
    4. Check the vendor’s bank accounts from the time the MOF deposited the money to date.
    5. Look for dubious payments to Politically connected individuals and with ZRA find out how much tax was paid.
    In just 2 weeks, you have the answers.

  13. Jigga Kayama Simangulungwa (formerly Corruption scandals: 48 Houses Social Security Cash Luxury Presidential Jet Ambulances Fire Trucks Mukula Trees Ndola-Lusaka Rd Malawi Maizegate Fuelgate Swaziland landgate Zesco Loans Honeybee) Jigga Kayama Simangulungwa (formerly Corruption scandals: 48 Houses Social Security Cash Luxury Presidential Jet Ambulances Fire Trucks Mukula Trees Ndola-Lusaka Rd Malawi Maizegate Fuelgate Swaziland landgate Zesco Loans Honeybee)

    Malabishi… what kind of incompetence is this? Investigating only after the culprits have left the corridors of power. This is what happens when supposedly independent law enforcement agencies are used as political tools… what a country this is!

  14. In countries with realistic ambitions like India , a simple Toyota hiace van is converted into an ambulance……

    Costing no more than $90,000 ……….

    Now in zambia we like ultra Morden, ultra sofisticated …….

    Then tomorrow we are bankrupt……

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  15. Why give a contract to Savenda to procure vehicles as though Savenda deals in that business. why skip Toyota Zambia or even beforward for arguments sake?
    Governments will change but as long as the money spinners, the suppliers are still out their i.e Savenders just know that we change Governments in vain.
    where was the Zambia Procurement Authority or Solicitor General?
    people can not continue stealing hiding behind the name of open /single sourcing tenders even when a street man can tell corruption was the motive.

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  16. Disgusting wastage, the Government could have bought 50 brand new Panel vans from local car dealers such as Toyota or Nissan etc at about USD 39,000 duty free per unit and then empowered local fabricators by floating a tender to convert the vehicles into Ambulances.With laid down clear specifications the bidders could have complied taken up the task.The cost of converting could have amounted to another USD29,000 per unit or less.
    giving a rough estimate of about USD 68,000 as the final price of one ambulance.So imagine spending USD 68,000 per ambulance as opposed to spending USD 288,000 per ambulance….Just thinking

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  17. Anti Corruption are part of the problem. They have unprofessional people who are also crooks. We should close this useless Institution. They have delivered nothing.

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