We are pleased to inform you that we have received a response from the Office of The Public Protector following the complaint raised regarding the inconclusive investigations into the purchase of 42 Fire Trucks at $42 million by the Ministry of Local Government in 2017.
On the 9th of March 2023, the ACA wrote a letter of complaint to the Office of the Public Protector. This complaint was lodged due to the inconclusive manner in which the 42For42 case has been dealt with over the years and the continued loss of public money and services under the said matter.
The background to our complaint is that, following public complaints over the reported cost of the government’s purchase of forty-two (42) firefighting trucks, the former Minister of Local Government, Honourable Vincent Mwale on 19th September 2017 delivered a statement to parliament on the Government’s procurement of the Fire Trucks. In his statement minister Mwale as he then was, informed Parliament of special features which justified the purchase price of 1 million US Dollars per unit. Mr. Mwale among other claims, indicated that the equipment was custom-made specifically to respond to the challenges faced by firemen and women in terms of the terrain and operational areas.
Contrary to Mr. Mwale’s assertions, the equipment has failed to handle the terrain as seen through at least three accidents involving the trucks, the first of which happened within two months of their commissioning and the latest in October 2022.
It is our understanding that the office of the Public Protector is charged with investigating amongst other things, government mismanagement, improper conduct by a person performing a public function and acts of omission a person performing a public function remitting in improper prejudice to another person.
Our concern is that there is a need for conclusive investigations and declaring the contract as a waste of public resources.
The complaint is currently undergoing the screening process.
The ACA has been working with young people under the Speak Up Youth Project in asking pertinent questions while demanding accountability in the management of public resources in Zambia.
The Speak Up Youth Project is implemented by the ACA with support from German Development Cooperation, GIZ.
You can read more on the questionable procurement of the infamous 42 fire tenders in 2017 here https://acazambia.org/42for42-fire-tenders/