Maravi

Show evidence that Levy ordered limousine, Magande challenges Mulongoti

Show evidence that Levy ordered limousine, Magande challenges Mulongoti
By Joseph Mwenda
Tue 08 Dec. 2009, 12:10 CAT

FORMER finance and national planing minister Ng'andu Magande has challenged works and supply minister Mike Mulongoti to produce evidence indicating that the newly acquired Mercedes Benz S class armoured Guard Pullman state limousine was ordered for late president Levy Mwanawasa.

Commenting on a story in which Mulongoti had earlier told Post Online the new presidential vehicle was ordered for President Rupiah Banda's predecessor, Magande who was then minister of finance during late President Mwanawasa's reign said Mulongoti should produce evidence in that regard.

Magande, however, said he was not directly involved in the procurement process of VIP vehicles but noted that the Ministry of Works and Supply was in a position to produce evidence indicating that the order was done before President Banda took over the presidency.

“When I was minister of finance I was not directly involved in the procurement of VIP vehicles, there was a financing programme for the ministry, so if there was a line in the budget which said VIP vehicle, it was none of my interest to know exactly which vehicles. That was not my responsibility,” Magande said.

“But Mulongoti should know someone within the Ministry of Works and Supply who can produce this evidence. So let him produce this evidence that the purchase was made for president Mwanawasa.”

And former finance deputy minister Jonas Shakafuswa, who is also late president Mwanawasa’s nephew said he could not comment on the matter because it involved state security.

Asked if he was aware of the budgetary allocation towards the procurement of the vehicle in question, Shakafuswa said, “I have no comment on that, its a matter of state security,” he maintained.

An effort to reach former Works and Supply minister Kapembwa Simbao for a comment proved futile as his phone number was unreachable.

Labels: CORRUPTION, JONAS SHAKAFUSWA, MAGANDE, MIKE MULONGOTI, MWANAWASA

posted by MrK @ 4:26 PM