NDC demand for probe of sacked Air Commander.
By Staff Reporter
Opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has demanded for the probe of sacked Zambia Airforce Commander general Erick Chimese for the wrongdoing he might have committed.
In a statement to the media welcoming the dismissal of General Chimese, NDC secretary general Mwenya Musenge urged the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to immediately probe him as he might have been involved in a number of corrupt activities during his seven year stay as ZAF commander.
Musenge said his party had in mind the US$62 million contract for the supply of military uniforms that Gen. Chimese is allegedly to have single sourced on 11 August 2017.
“As NDC we have information that Gen. Chimese single sourced a local firm BHB contractors to supply uniforms to ZAF at an inflated price. BHB is a local company situated at plot number 407 Independence Avenue Lusaka. Gen. Chimese single sourced this firm to supply expensive military regalia when a Kenyan firm, Purma was ready to supply the same uniforms at US$ 14 million,” said Mwenya
He urged the ACC to go further and probe all the civil servants including a Permanent Secretary who were linked to the US$ 62 million scandal and Brigadier General Wilfred Mbewe who is said to have opposed the deal was Chief of Supply at ZAF when this deal was dubiously signed.
“Gen. Mbewe and others opposed this deal but was removed from his office by Gen. Chimese. A number of officers such as Brigadier General Chibesa who was in charge of Finance were unceremoniously retired for opposing this deal,” he said
Musenge added that Gen. Chimese has left ZAF in a mess and should be probed immediately so that his name is cleared.
“The NDC further urges President Lungu to fire Zambia Army Commander Paul Mihova. Gen. Mihova is involved in a lot of dubious activities at the army. As NDC, we have the full details of the proxy that Gen. Mihova is using in South Africa to loot Zambia Army resources,” said Musenge.
