(LUSAKATIMES) Extend theft probe to ministers, civil servants – Pande

Extend theft probe to ministers, civil servants – Pande
Saturday, May 30, 2009, 11:28

Minister of Foreign Affairs Kabinga Pande says the ongoing investigations into the K10 billion scandal at the Ministry of Health should be extended to other ministries and government departments.

And Mr. Pande has advised civil servants in the country to work hard and earn their money in a clean manner. Mr. Pande, who is also Kasempa Member of Parliament, said investigations into the theft of public resources should be done on every civil servants and ministers.

“We should not get what does not belong to us. It does not only tarnish the image of an individual but even that of the ministries where these people belong to and even the country as a whole. So the investigations should be extended to every one, even ministers,” he said.

He said abuse of government and donor funds should not only be described as corrupt acts but be deemed to be theft of public resources.

He said for a rural Member of Parliament, the theft of public funds such as the one at the Ministry of Health, affects the delivery of health services to the poor people in rural areas.

Mr. Pande pointed out that stolen money and that which is earned through fraudulent means could not be enjoyed freely because the people who stole it fear to be arrested.

He said this in Kasempa yesterday where he is monitoring developmental projects. Mr. Pande said the country should strive to utilise what it has to enhance developmental programmes in key sectors of the economy hence the need to stop theft of public funds.

He urged civil servants in his constituency not to get involved in such scams saying they should earn their money honestly if they are to spend it publicly.

He further pointed out that government is determined to fight corrupt activities in the country and called on every patriotic Zambian to get involved in curbing theft and corruption.

And Mr. Pande said his regular visits and monitoring of projects in his constituency has instilled a sense of responsibility in those tasked to implement projects in the district.

“My coming here quite often to monitor the implementation of projects has an impact because people are scared to misuse the money. Though I do not come here as a supervisor but to create an atmosphere where every one is free to discuss developmental issues,” he said.

Mr. Pande, who bragged about having the best civil servants in the country, however said the global economic crunch has an impact on some of the development projects.

He explained that Kasempa district, just like other districts in the country, has experienced some delay in the completion of some projects due to the global economic crunch.

The minister was however, quick to note that government is committed to ensure that the projected that were ongoing were completed.

And Senior Chief Kasempa said the monitoring of project implementation was a very good guard against misuse of funds.

The traditional leader, who said this when Mr. Pande paid a courtesy call on him at his palace, also said projects can only succeed when people are united.

He also called upon youths to work hand in hand with the older people in developing their communities.

ZANIS