State orders Government Stores to account for K257m unretired imprest

State orders Government Stores to account for K257m unretired imprest
By Mwala Kalaluka
Tue 27 Dec. 2011, 13:30 CAT

THE Secretary to the Treasury has ordered the Mubita Sibandi-led Government Stores to immediately account for a K257 million unretired imprest noted by the Accountant General's office.

And several payment vouchers sighted by The Post show that Government Stores director Mubita Sibandi and senior accountant Leonard Kaimbo have been paying themselves housing and car loans from the Revolving Fund.

According to a letter dated December 20, 2011, signed by Ministry of Finance and National Planning director of human resource administration, Siazongo Siakalenge, the unretired amount was noted during an analysis of the commitment control and financial management system undertaken by the Accountant General's office as of September 30, 2011.

"In view of the foregoing, kindly ensure that all outstanding imprests are retired and an updated copy of your CC/FMS submitted to office of the Accountant General Room 43 by 23rd December 2011," the letter read in part.

"Further you are requested to start submitting monthly financial statement to the controlling officer, every 15th day of the following month. You can liaise with chief accountant- finance for the reporting format. Your prompt response in this regard will be appreciated."

And ministry of finance sources said whenever Government Stores received funding, Sibandi and Kaimbo consistently paid themselves car and house loans and other outstanding allowances.

Payment vouchers availed to The Post indicate that Kaimbo and Sibandi paid themselves claims amounting to over K54 million between August 2010 and September 2011.

One payment voucher shows that Kaimbo on August 12, 2010 obtained an additional car loan amounting to a million kwacha through cheque number 001883, which was to be recovered in 240 monthly installments.

On the same date, Kaimbo was paid K500,000 as additional car loan on a different payment voucher on cheque number 004674.

Another payment voucher dated September 29, 2010 shows that Kaimbo was paid K3.5 million on cheque number 002101, as a household loan to be recovered in 120 monthly installments.

Kaimbo was on March 23, 2011 also paid K863, 492 on cheque number 005251 as payment of acting allowance.

On October 25, 2011 Kaimbo was paid K5 million as an additional car loan on cheque number 002200 while Sibandi was on October 19, 2010 paid K2.8 million as acting allowance arrears on cheque number 004702.

Sibandi was a month later on November 11, 2010 paid K300,000 on cheque number 004756 as part payment of a housing allowance difference arising from his acting appointment.

Sibandi was on January 20, 2011 again paid K41 million on cheque number 002122, which was a part payment of a household loan to be recovered in 120 months.

Government Stores is a department under the Ministry of Finance and National Planning.