Sale of VXs political stunt for HH – Mwamba

By NATION REPORTER

THE repossessing of VX motor vehicles from public service employees is a mere public stunt by President Hakainde Hichilema aimed at impressing the people because the assets were bought after his (Hichilema) approval, Emmanuel Mwamba has said.

Mr Mwamba, the Patriotic Front (PF) deputy information and publicity chairperson said government would incur significant financial loss should the Secretary to Cabinet proceed to sell the vehicles.

 He said a cabinet meeting held on April 24, 2023 decided that the purchase of Ministerial Permanent Secretaries, and State-owned Enterprises Chief Executive Officers luxury vehicles, be repossessed and sold off.

Mr Mwamba said since 2021, government had approved and bought luxury 4X4 vehicles for Permanent Secretaries, constitutional office holders and others as part of their conditions of service.

He stated that in an official circular No.4 of 2023, Secretary to Cabinet ordered Permanent Secretaries, National Coordinator-Smart Zambia, all chief administrators in the Judiciary, NAPSA and all secretaries to Service Commissions and the Anti-Corruption Commission to comply and surrender all the VX motor vehicles.

Mr Mwamba said the purchase of these vehicles was approved by Mr Hichilema and Cabinet under the Appropriation Act.

He said the purchase of the vehicles were further approved by Cabinet and Parliament through a supplementary budget.

Mr Mwamba said the disposal of state assets was regulated by Article 210(2) of the Constitution, the Public Service Financial Management Act of 2018, the Public Stores Act, including the Public Asset Management Policy and other laws.

He said like the presidential jet, it would be difficult to sell the vehicles for many reasons including the issue that the assets were serviceable and remain in good condition.   Mr Mwamba said the laws call for disposal of unserviceable, and obsolete assets and equipment and the vehicles in question were almost brand new assets but can only be sold at a huge loss to government as showroom assets immediately depreciate in value immediately they are taken out for use.

“Wasteful expenditure, loss of public funds cabinet approves repossession of ministerial luxury vehicles”

“So while Mr Hichilema appears prudent in this matter, it is a mere public stunt and grandstanding as these assets were bought after his approval and government will incur significant financial loss,” he said.