Former Permanent Secretary Gladys Kristafor arrested

Former Southern Province Permanent Secretary Gladys Kristafor has been arrested by the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) for abuse of authority of office.
 
Mrs Kristafor appeared in the Livingstone Magistrate Court May 4th morning and pleaded not guilty to charges of abuse of authority.
 
Mrs. Kristafor was arrested on May 3rd by the Government Joint Investigations Team for abuse of authority and for wilful failure to comply with procurement procedures involving over K900, 000.

 
Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Public Relations Officer Timothy Moono said Mrs. Kristafor, 54, of plot number 4424 /199 Highlands area in Livingstone has since been released on bond and will appear in the Livingtone Magistrate’s Court on May 28 and June 30, 2015 for mention and July 14 ,2015 for commencement of trial.
 
Mr. Moono explained that Mrs. Kristafor is charged with one count of wilful failure to comply with any law of applicable procedure or guidelines relating to procurement and tendering of contracts contrary to section 33(2) (b) of the Anti-Corruption Act number 38 of 2010.

 
He disclosed that on dates unknown but between January and December 2011 while serving as permanent secretary for Southern Province, Mrs. Kristafor wilfully failed to comply with laid down procedures or guidelines relating to management of funds in the manner she varied funds amounting to over K900, 000 without seeking treasury authority in order to purchase two graders for the Rural Roads Unit (RRU) in Livingstone.
 
In the second count, Mrs. Zaloumi’s is charged for arbitrary directing and signing for the full payment of the said two graders before the contract was executed and goods delivered, acts prejudicial to the rights and interest of the government.

 
And Mr. Moono also revealed that the ACC has arrested two government officers in the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health in Chipata district for corrupt practices.
 
He said Veronica Daka, 54, and Joseph Lungu 35 have been arrested and jointly charged with three counts of corrupt acquisition of public property and revenue amounting to over K6, 000 and one count of uttering false documents contrary to the Anti-Corruption Act and the Laws of Zambia.
 
Mr. Moono said the duo have since been released on bond waiting to appear in court.