Maravi

Tender Board chief loses job over Dora

Tender Board chief loses job over Dora
Written by Chibaula Silwamba
Sunday, April 26, 2009 2:59:00 PM

PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has terminated the contract of Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) director general David Kapitolo, about one year before its expiration, for allegedly testifying against former communications and transport minister Dora Siliya during the tribunal sessions. Well-placed sources revealed that President Banda wrote a letter to Kapitolo, terminating his contract without stating reasons for the action.

"You know what; the director-general of the Zambia Public Procurement Authority, formerly Zambia National Tender Board (ZNTB), Mr David Kapitolo's contract has been terminated by the President," the sources said. "I saw the termination letter and no reasons were given. Mr Kapitolo was one of the witnesses that appeared before the tribunal that was set up to investigate Honourable Dora Siliya, who recently resigned as minister of communications and transport."

The sources said Kapitolo's contract was supposed to end next year.

"He had a three-year contract and he had one year to go before his contract ends," said the sources.

Efforts to contact Kapitolo proved futile, as his mobile phone was not going through.

ZPPA public relations officer Hazel Zulu said she was on leave and could not comment on the matter.

"I am actually on leave so I am not aware of what is happening there. I am going back in the office on Monday," said Zulu.

But when The Post phoned the office of the director-general at ZPPA to speak to Kapitolo, the secretary said he was no longer there.

"He is no longer here; he left two days ago," answered the secretary yesterday.

When asked for the name of the new office holder and if he was in office, the secretary responded: "The new director-general is Mr Chibuye, he is not here. He is coming in on Monday."

Recently, Kapitolo testified before the judge Dennis Chirwa-chaired tribunal that he had received a letter from Siliya asking the ZPPA to suspend the tender and re-tender the radar contract that was supposed to be given to Thales Air System S.A to install radars at Lusaka and Livingstone International airports.

Kapitolo told the tribunal that he did not act on Siliya's letter because there were no convincing reasons to cancel the tender.

Meanwhile, sources revealed that the new board of the National Airports Corporation Limited (NACL) is expected to fire NACL managing director Robinson Misitala for his testimony to the tribunal.

Siliya attempted to cancel the contract, which was supposed to be awarded to Thales Air System S.A in preference to Selex.

Siliya favoured the idea of getting Selex to repair the radar head of the equipment at the Lusaka International Airport despite concerns from the technocrats in the Ministry of Communications and Transport and NACL not to accept the offer from Selex.

Others expected to be fired for their testimony to the tribunal are former communications and transport permanent secretary Dr Eustern Mambwe who is now serving as North-Western Province permanent secretary, Attorney General Mumba Malila and Solicitor General Dominic Sichinga.

Labels: DAVID KAPITOLO, DORA SILIYA, HAZEL ZULU, RESIGNATIONS, ZPPA

posted by MrK @ 2:00 PM