- HH warns culprits in medical supply probe
JOHN CHAAMBWA
Lusaka
PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema says that investigations into the medical supply chain audit, conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers, are currently underway, warning that anyone found culpable will face the full force of the law regardless of their position or status.
In a statement issued by State House Chief Communications Specialist Clayson Hamasaka yesterday, President Hichilema said the issues identified in the audit are being investigated by the relevant law enforcement agencies.
He emphasised that government departments are fully cooperating with these agencies to ensure a thorough, impartial and just process.
“Everyone remains innocent until proven guilty, and the findings will be made public once investigations and due process have concluded,” he said.
Mr Hamasaka explained that last year, President Hichilema commissioned a comprehensive, independent forensic audit of the medical sector, one of several decisive measures aimed at addressing long-standing and systemic problems, which the President described as “cancerous” and rooted in the historical theft of medicines.
The audit was conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), an accounting firm of global repute.
In line with the President’s commitment to transparency and accountability, preliminary findings were shared with cooperating partners at State House, at his own invitation.
“The President reiterates that there shall be no sacred cows; anyone found wanting will face the full force of the law,” Mr Hamasaka said.
He further noted that although the President’s decision to engage an external auditor was initially met with resistance from opposition parties, who are now ironically citing the audit findings, President Hichilema remains steadfast in his commitment to integrity over partisanship.
In response to the audit’s preliminary findings, Mr Hamasaka outlined several swift and decisive actions that have already been implemented.
These include the dissolution of the ZAMMSA management board and the advertisement of the director general position to attract strong leadership and drive institutional renewal…https://enews.daily-mail.co.zm/welcome/home
