Lusaka ~ Tue, 23 August 2022
By Brightwell Chabusha
The opposition Patriotic Front has written the Secretary to the Cabinet Dr. Patrick Kangwa over the use of public funds to commemorate UPND’s one year in office.
Party acting president Given Lubinda Given argued that the said commemoration has nothing to with government activities, but the UPND as a political party.
Mr Lubinda said the circular that was issued over the same commemoration amounts to abuse of authority of office adding that it is contrary to Section 21 of the Anti- Corruption Act of 2012.
“Part of Section 21 reads as follows: 21 [1] A public officer commits an offence who- [a] does, or directs to be done, in abuse of the public officer’s position, office or authority any arbitrary act prejudicial to the rights or interests of the Government or any other person,” he said.
“You will further note that your Circular is prejudicial to the rights or interest of the Government for the following reasons: (i) Communication of the Circular has already occasioned loss to the Government in terms of stationery, data bundles, man hours and other Government resources, (ii) If acted upon, which is already in the process, Government resources and facilities will be unlawfully applied to activities of a political party, and (iii) You have used your High Office to champion the activities of a political party, when your Office ought to serve the interests of the Government and not that of a political party.”
He claimed to not have been oblivious of the self-praise and self aggrendizement syndrome inherent in the UPND.
Mr Lubinda added that he sympathizes with the Secretary to the Cabinet for your action to please them by providing them a platform to feather their nest and to apple-smooth their egos.
“However, take serious note that Zambia has been governed by three political parties before the UPND. None of them ever engaged the Government and it’s civil servants in commemorating their anniversaries. Be reminded also that Mr Hakainde is the seventh President of Zambia succeeding his six predecessors, none of whom caused the Government to spend taxpayers’ money on commemorating the anniversaries of their swearing in,” he said.
“Take heed that Mr Hakainde shall not be the last to rule Zambia and should not be permitted to set a reckless precedent for his successors. Furthermore, I advise that should you not withdraw the Circular herein we shall be left with no option but to seek redress in the Courts of law, and [for] an order to reimburse to the Treasury, by every public officer including yourself, funds that will have been applied to the celebrations.”
He advised the Secretary to the Cabinet to refer to Section 51[1][a] of the Public Finance Management Act, of 2019.
Mr Lubinda said the same Act says “Subject to the other provisions of this Part, the Secretary to the Treasury shall where a controlling officer or controlling body or an office holder fails to perform any financial duties assigned under this Act and such failure results in loss of public assets, monies or stores- [a] impose on that controlling officer or any other office holder a surcharge equivalent to the loss, wasteful expenditure incurred by Government……..”