Maravi

3 govt wings begin Zambian Airways probe

3 govt wings begin Zambian Airways probe
Written by Masuzyo Chakwe
Friday, February 27, 2009 9:07:52 AM

ACTING Inspector General of Police Francis Kabonde yesterday said three government investigative wings have started investigations into the financial irregularities of Zambian Airways to clear the air on the issues.

At a joint press briefing by the Zambia Police, the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) and the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC), Kabonde said investigations which were initially started by one investigative wing had been commenced following official representation from the Forum for Leadership Search, members of the public, non-governmental organisations, the ruling party and opposition parties.

"Therefore, the Zambia Police Service, Anti-Corruption Commission and Drug Enforcement Commission have jointly constituted an investigative team to probe operations of Zambian Airways," he said.

When asked why the investigations were not commenced earlier as opposed to now following President Rupiah Banda's remarks that he would ensure that Zambian Airways pays back what they owe the people, Kabonde said although investigations were instituted earlier, the investigative wings had now decided to form a team to work together due to public interest.

He said the country was calm and there was no need for anxiety.

"It is normal in any given country for people to be investigated, to be taken to court. There shouldn't be any anxiety at all. Zambia had had the experience before where VIPs have been arrested and life continues. We will want to appeal to members of the public to continue helping the police as they are doing in all these investigations. Let them continue passing on the information to us. As Zambia Police Service, as DEC and as ACC, we are your servants. We are paid out of taxpayers money and we are doing to do our work fairly without fear and favour," Kabonde said.

Zambian Airways suspended operations following a rise in operational costs cause by fuel price hikes.

And Kabonde said the Patriotic Front had officially made representations to the office of the Inspector General of Police regarding the latest incident at the Ministry of Home Affairs involving the payments made to food suppliers.

He said their core function in all these investigations was to look for criminal elements.

"Once we do that we shall make consultations and we will decide on what course of action to take," he said.

He also said investigations into the leakage of secret government documents were progressing well, including the latest one at the Ministry of Home Affairs, so that the culprits could be traced.

MMD deputy national secretary Jeff Kaande late last year requested then home affairs permanent secretary Susan Sikaneta to pay over K1 billion to suppliers who had pledged to support the MMD.

Kabonde said investigations into attempts to smuggle bags of maize meal and grain to the neighbouring country from Tanzania where about 30 trucks had been impounded in Kitwe, had reached an advanced stage.

He said in the process, three people had been arrested in Lusaka and many more would be arrested.

Kabonde warned that investigative wings would not allow the smuggling of maize and mealie meal out the country unless one had a legal export.

And commenting on the recent cases where police officers had taken their own lives using their own firearms, Kabonde said the actions by the police officers was highly regrettable because they had decided to take their lives using government resources.

Labels: FRANCIS KABONDE, ZAMBIAN AIRWAYS

posted by MrK @ 9:08 AM