Maravi

Families query whereabouts of MoH accused officials

Families query whereabouts of MoH accused officials
Written by Mwala Kalaluka
Thursday, July 09, 2009 5:12:03 PM

FAMILY members for the seven Ministry of Health officials and two other individuals recently arrested over alleged fraudulent payments to a consultancy company were yesterday worried about the accused persons' whereabouts.

This is a matter where the investigative team mandated to probe the financial irregularities at the Ministry of Health last Saturday arrested and charged nine people in connection with alleged fraudulent payments to Algonquin Management Consultancy amounting to K6.8 billion.

Those charged were expected to appear before the Lusaka Magistrates Court yesterday for plea, according to Police and Anti-Corruption Commission spokespersons, Bonny Kapeso and Timothy Moono, respectively.

However, scores of family members that went to the court to attend the hearing were left wondering as to the accused persons' status quo after they failed to appear at the court.

The accused persons' lawyers were also seen walking in and out of courtroom number seven trying to gather any information they could over the expected appearance of their clients.

One lawyer was even heard complaining that in his haste to make it for the plea, he had to forego his early morning cup of coffee.

Some prosecutors spoken to revealed that the matter might take-off today but they could not explain the circumstances behind the accused people's non-appearance at the court.

Family members went back home after 10.00 hours upon realising that the accused persons', who are all detained in custody, would not be coming before the court.

They have been arrested and charged for alleged fraudulent payments made to Algonquin Management Consultancy between October 1, 2007 and December 31, 2008.

“The payments relate to various workshops purported to have been conducted for the Ministry of Health employees. The payments range from K200 million to K940 million and a total of K6,840,547,636 was made to Algonquin Management and Consultancy for workshops which were never held or conducted,” Kapeso said. “The Ministry of Health employees have been charged with counts relating to Theft by Public Servant contrary to section 272 and 277 of the Penal Code, while other individuals have been charged with counts of Theft contrary to section 272 of the Penal Code.”

Ministry of Health director of health policy, Dr Chrispine Sichone, 44, has been charged with six counts of theft by public servant involving K4,370,825,000.00 while Roy Maswenyeho, 56, of number C5 Chabisa Road Woodlands, Lusaka, who is a principal accountant at the Ministry of Health was charged with two counts of theft by public servant amounting to K1,115,618,850.00.

Vincent Luhana, 35, a senior accountant at the Ministry of Health and of plot number 551, Avondale in Lusaka was charged with six counts of theft by public servant amounting to K4,088,389,186.00.

Evaristo Musaba, aged 47, a former chief accountant at the Ministry of Health and now with Accountant General's office, Ministry of Finance and of house number 213 Monkey Close, Ibex Hill was arrested and charged with four counts of theft by public servant amounting to K2,151,527,286.00.

Former Ministry of Health human resource manager, Henry Kapoko was again arrested and charged with five counts of theft by public servant and five counts of theft amounting to K6,840,547,636.00, with 39-year-old assistant director of administration at the Ministry of Health and resident of plot number 2749 Shantumbu Road, Chilenje South, Nobert Peleti being charged with five counts of theft by public servant amounting to K3,098,751,486.00.

Kaoma Zukas Kaoma, 38, acting Ministry of Health principal accountant and a resident of plot number 2344, Lilayi, Chipwepwenu area Lusaka was charged with nine counts of theft by public servant amounting to K6,342,997,636.00.

Algonquin director Naomi Gladys Musopelo Chawinga, 51, and a resident of house number 11/12 Shimaponda road, Matero East, was charged with ten counts of theft amounting to K6,840,547, 636.00 while 27-year-old Algonquin Management Consultancy shareholder and resident of plot number 65 Makishi road, Northmead, Lusaka, Masuzyo Kuma Chawinga, has been arrested and charged with six counts of theft amounting to K4,017,197,800.00.

Labels: MINISTRY OF HEALTH

posted by MrK @ 4:13 PM