By LUCY PHIRI
SIX Ministry of Health officials have appeared in court over alleged willful failure to comply with applicable law and procedure in connection with the supply of drugs by Honeybee.
The accused are Wilson Lungu, a chief purchasing and supplying officer, Daniel Makawa, a senior registrar-surgery, Emmanuel Mubanga and Boyd Mwanashimbala, both pharmacists, Abel Livingi, a procurement officer and Vianney Neene.
The accused persons, were arrested last year (2021).
It is alleged that between July 1, and December 31, 2019, the six, being members of the Evaluation Committee, willfully failed to comply with applicable procedure and regulations.
This relates to the evaluation of tender number MOH/SC/032/19 to supply and deliver 22,500 health centre kits, a matter or transaction which concerns the Ministry of Health, a public body.
In the second count, it is alleged that between the same dates, Mwanashimbala willfully failed to comply with applicable law and procedure relating to procurement tender number MOH/SP/032/19
The offence is in relation to the supply and delivery of 22,500 health center kits when Mwanashimbala participated in both the evaluation committee and ministerial procurement committee, a matter or transaction which concerns the Ministry of Health, a public body. The accused appeared before Lusaka chief resident magistrate Dominic Makalicha who then allocated the matter to magistrate Jennifer Bwalya.
However, magistrate Bwalya said the matter requires consent from the DPP, which is yet to be received and she therefore said the matter was only coming up for reading and explanation of the charge.
All accused understood the charge and the Court Set March 7 for possible plea and trial and February 18, 2022 for mention.
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