ACC Nabs PS Annie Sinyangwe

JIMMY CHIBUYE, Lusaka
SOUTHERN Province permanent secretary Annie Sinyangwe has been arrested over a procurement contract amounting to more than K80,000.
Ms Sinyangwe was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Tuesday in connection with “wilful failure to comply with applicable procedure” relating to procurement involving an K89,253.44 contract.
Ms Sinyangwe, 48, of plot number sub G/16520 off Kasama Road near G-Green, Lilayi, was arrested over the alleged awarding of a contract for paving of Cabinet Office car park to Moonstone Investments Limited.
Ms Sinyangwe is charged with one count of wilful failure to comply with applicable procedure relating to procurement.
She is said to have awarded the contract when she was permanent secretary at Cabinet Office in charge of administration.
ACC public relations manager Timothy Moono disclosed the arrest of Ms Sinyangwe in a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday.
“Ms Sinyangwe has since been released on bond and will appear in court on April 8,” Mr Moono said.
Particulars of the offence are that Ms Sinyangwe, on unknown dates but between January 1, 2012 and August 31, 2012 in Lusaka, being a person whose functions as permanent secretary administration at Cabinet Office involved the administration and management of public revenue or property, wilfully failed to comply with the law and applicable procedure relating to procurement when she awarded a contract for paving of Cabinet Office car park.
The transaction is prejudicial to the interest of Cabinet Office, a public body under the government.