Maravi

Distribution of hearses to councils will not jeopardise ACC probe

Distribution of hearses to councils will not jeopardise ACC probe
Written by Katwishi Bwalya
Friday, July 17, 2009 5:18:16 AM

LOCAL government minister Benny Tetamashimba has said the distribution of hearses to various councils across the country will not jeopardize the ongoing investigations by the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Auditor General on their procurement.

In an interview after he officially received the 100 hearses from Top Motors Limited of China, Tetamashimba said the government decided to distribute the hearses because they had already been paid for.

He said the issue was not with the hearses but the controversy surrounding the price at which they were purchased.

Tetamashimba charged on the author when he was asked why the government started distributing hearses to the councils when he had already reported his predecessor Sylvia Masebo to the ACC for investigations.

He then instructed this reporter to repeat the question so that other journalists could capture the question before he could respond.

"Can you capture his question [telling other journalists from other media organizations], Repeat your question then I will answer you," Tetamashimba said.

After this reporter repeated the question, Tetamashimba accused The Post newspaper of not wanting the people to benefit from the hearses.

"You have asked the question because you do not want the people to benefit and you have asked that question knowing very well that your mother would not have afforded to put you in those vehicles from the funeral parlours. If you were not working for The Post [newspaper] and if today you stopped working for The Post and you died, am sure you would be put in one of these [pointing to the hearses]," Tetamashimba said.

He maintained that the truth about the price of the hearses would be known after the ACC and the Auditor General conclude their investigations.

"The issue here is not about the hearses because they are in good condition but the question is were they really bought at US $29,000 or less? That is the argument. Then the ACC and the Auditor General will tell us the truth then those who are saying they were bought at US $29,000 then they will become more honourable. So, the issue is that were they really bought at US $29,000 or less than that but the problem is that you seem to be supporting those who are in between and I don't know why," he said.

Earlier, Tetamashimba urged the councils to put the hearses to good use to enable the needy citizens to benefit.

"There has been a lot of comments on the said hearses and the PF calling the hearses Tetamalilo when their leader knows very well that local authorities were providing Katengamalilo vehicles to bury the people," Tetamashimba said "Government is being considerate and has decided the vehicles... that despite the circumstances surrounding the purchase, the hearses have to be put to good use to enable the needy citizens have access to a cheaper and humane manner of burying the departed loved one.

And Top Motors managing director Liang Ge said the contractual obligation had been fulfilled through the handover ceremony.

Labels: ACC, BENNY TETAMASHIMBA, CORRUPTION, PROCUREMENT SYSTEMS

posted by MrK @ 4:17 AM