The Auditor General’s report has revealed that loss of funds due to negligence at the Ministry of Justice has increased to more that K9 million in 2017 from K2 million in 2015 following an increase in negligence among the workers.

And the auditor general’s report revealed that 188 farmers from Kapiri Mphoshi who had their e-voucher cards loaded with money were non-Zambian nationals.

According to the report for the financial year ended 31st December 2017, a total amount of K11,448,709 in respect of 59 cases was paid by the Ministry for cases where officers neglected, omitted or failed to follow procedures in their duty.

“Loss of Public Funds through negligence by public workers During the period under review, a total amount of K11,448,709 in respect of 59 cases was paid by the ministry for cases where officers neglected, omitted or failed to follow procedures in their duty. However, contrary to Part III Sub-section (1)(e) of the Financial Regulations which requires that officers who cause liability to the government through neglected, omitted or failed to follow procedures in their duty should be held liable for the loss and damage caused, as at 31st July 2018, no recoveries had been made from the concerned officers. A review of the trend from 2015 to 2017 revealed the number of cases had increased from nine with amounts totalling K2,606,049 in 2015 to 59 cases with amounts totalling K9,091,200 in 2017. However, no progress had been made as at 31st July 2018 regarding recovery of funds from the officers who had cost the Government to incur the expenditure,” read the report.

And the auditor general’s report revealed that 188 farmers from Kapiri Mphoshi who had their e-voucher cards loaded with a total amount of K376,000 were non-Zambian nationals.

“Kapiri Mposhi During the 2017/2018 farming season, one hundred and 188 farmers from Kapiri Mposhi who had their e-voucher cards loaded with a total amount of K376,000 were non-Zambian nationals. A comparison of the list of depositors on ZIAMIS to the list of approved beneficiaries revealed that 4,633 farmers who made contributions in amounts totalling K2,455,732 were not appearing on the list of approved beneficiaries. It was also observed that 2,072 farmers who had paid farmers contributions in amounts totalling K828,800 were not appearing on the approved list of farmers and their cards were not loaded with farmers contributions,” read the report.

“It was not clear how the farmers were allowed to deposit the farmers’ contributions when they were not on the approved list. Duplication of Deposits at Participating Banks According to bank statements from participating banks, 828 farmers paid farmers contributions totalling K662,400 to the participating banks while the ZIAMIS indicated that the 828 farmers paid K331,200 resulting in a variance of K331,200.”

Meanwhile the report revealed that the Zambia Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies failed to remit Pay As You Earn amounting to K887, 892.

“Failure to Remit Pay As You Earn – Zambia Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies. A scrutiny of records revealed that during the year under review, a total amount of K887,892 was paid to seven employees as gross salaries. It was however observed that although Pay As You Earn (PAYE) in amounts totalling K220,808 was deducted from the employees’ salaries, as at 31st August 2018, the Institution had only remitted K47,250 to the Zambia Revenue Authority leaving a balance of K173,558. In addition, a total amount of K19,627 was paid to officers as commutation of leave days, without deducting PAYE.”