By Merlyn Mwanza
The Economic Front (EF), National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Citizens First (CF) parties have given Finance minister Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane seven days within which to respond, arguing that the procedure employed by himself in awarding the contract to Grant Thornton and Price Water House and Coopers to audit security wings is contrary and ultra vires the provisions of the constitution and the Public Finance Management Act of 2018.
In a letter addressed to Dr Musokotwane dated November 22, 2022 and seen by Daily Revelation Media, EF leader Wynter Kabimba argued that at no time did the Auditor General seek the express approval of the President that his office was unable to undertake the audits.
“Re: Audit of the Defence Services Institutions and State Intelligence Service by Grant Thornton. We refer to the above quoted matter and wish to inform you that we act for the Economic Front, National Democratic Congress (NDC) and Citizens First (CF) political parties who are stakeholders in matters of public interest and hence note our interest. Our clients instructions are to the effect that the procedure employed by yourself in the award of the contract to Grant Thornton and Price Water house and Coopers to audit the above named institutions is contrary and/or ultra vires the provisions of the Republican Constitution and the Public Finance Management Act of 2018,” stated Kabimba. “It is our client’s further instruction that at no time did the Auditor General seek the express approval of His Excellency the President on the grounds that his office was unable to undertake the audit or that the same would not compromise the security of the State. The confirmation by your office through the Secretary to the Treasury to the effect that the contract was signed at the Ministry of Finance goes to confirm our client’s instructions above.”
Kabimba submitted that in view of the above, unless his clients hear from Dr Musokotwane within seven days from the date hereof that indeed the constitutional and all legal provisions referred to were complied with in the award of the audit contract in question; they would commence judicial review proceedings in the High Court to seek an order of CERTIO RARI to bring into the High Court the said decision for purposes of quashing the same.
