GOVT FAILS TO MEET DEADLINE ON COVID FUNDS AUDIT REPORT

By Kenson McCloud 

A Chancellor College based political scientist has faulted the Tonse Alliance administration for delaying the release of probe findings into the contentious K6.2 Billion Covid-19 funds.

This follows expiry of a 30 day lifespan President Lazarus Chakwera had given for the forensic audit, which covered months of September and December, to be carried out. 

In an interview with Timveni, Ernest Thindwa said, "Tax payers have the right to know what happened to the funds and any further hold-up of the information dents government’s commitment to fight corruption."

Thindwa said the Tonse Alliance was given the mandate to govern on electorates’ high hopes to be transparent and corrupt free. 

He has since urged the public to use all necessary channels to demand accountability in the matter.

"There are so many avenues they can use to hold government accountable. They can write a petition to the goverment demanding disclosure on how they used the covid-19 funds," explained Thindwa.

Meanwhile, some concerned citizens have vowed to seek legal address to pushing government to release the report.

Presidential Spokesperson Brian Banda referred our reporter to officials in the Ministry of Information but were not available for comment.