Scandal Rocks Ministry of Education: K3.6 Million Paid Without Tender Process
The Ministry of Education is at the center of a procurement scandal after the latest Auditor General’s report revealed gross violations of Zambia’s Public Procurement Act, 2020, and Public Procurement Regulations, 2022. The Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Joel Kamoko, allegedly authorized the payment of K3.6 million to M-SAT Limited for educational software without following required tender procedures or obtaining clearance from the Attorney General.
The payment was for a digitalized annual census software intended to collect real-time data from schools across the country. However, the Auditor General’s report exposed that the procurement:
Bypassed competitive bidding processes mandated by law.
Lacked inclusion in the Ministry’s annual procurement plan.
Was not reviewed or cleared by the Attorney General, a fundamental requirement for public contracts of this magnitude.
“This is not a minor oversight but a deliberate act of misconduct,” the report stated.
In a move that further compounds the scandal, Kamoko directed all public and private schools to deposit K800 each into M-SAT Limited’s account to finance the software procurement. Contributions from government schools alone were expected to surpass K8.5 million. This directive has raised questions about the legality and ethics of compelling schools to fund a private vendor.
M-SAT Limited was engaged to provide the digital tool aimed at improving the Ministry’s data collection capabilities. While the software itself could enhance efficiency, its procurement process reeks of favoritism and potential corruption. Without transparency in the selection process, suspicions of collusion and kickbacks loom large.
Public Outrage and Calls for Action
The scandal has sparked widespread anger among stakeholders and civil society organizations. Many are questioning how a ministry tasked with safeguarding Zambia’s future could disregard legal and ethical standards so blatantly.
“These are resources meant to benefit students and improve education. Instead, we see a systemic abuse of public funds,” said a governance expert.
Key demands from the public include:
1. Immediate Suspension of Joel Kamoko: To ensure impartial investigations.
2. Anti-Corruption Investigation: A full probe by the ACC into the tender process and the role of M-SAT Limited.
3. Reimbursement of Funds: Schools should be refunded the amounts deposited into M-SAT’s account.
4. Accountability Measures: The Ministry must take steps to prevent such breaches in the future, including stricter oversight of procurement processes.
This scandal is not an isolated incident but a symptom of a larger issue within Zambia’s public procurement system. Despite legal frameworks designed to ensure transparency and fairness, breaches remain common, undermining public trust.
The Ministry of Education must address this scandal decisively. If left unchecked, it risks eroding public confidence in the government’s ability to manage public funds responsibly.
The UPND administration, which campaigned on promises of zero tolerance for corruption, now faces a critical test. Will it uphold its commitment to accountability, or will this scandal join the long list of unresolved cases of public sector corruption?
For now, all eyes are on the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Ministry of Education to take swift and decisive action to restore public trust.
KUMWESU NOV 30, 2024