*Contact* : UPND Media Director, Ruth Dante
0976503165/0977780397
*PRESS RELEASE*
LUSAKA ( 24.07.2020).
Revelations by the Auditor General’s Office that Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) director general Josephine Mapoma and the director of standards and licencing Eustace Nkandu purchased company cars at residual value makes sad reading.
The United Party for National Development (UPND) finds it shameful and regrettable that graft and high-level thieving by senior quasi-public institutional heads is now the order of the day.
We are left with no option but to conclude that Ms Mapoma’s double-dealing and disrespect for public office has undoubtedly led to the authority’s failure to remit K1, 698, 231 to the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), money that has already been deducted from employee’s salaries.
We also note with regret, the subsequent failure by IBA to produce its annual report for 2018.
It is unfortunate that public servants have continued to indulge in all manner of illegalities such as the one Ms Mapoma is embroiled in despite endless assurances by President Edgar Lungu that affirmative action will be taken to bring all corrupt activities to an end.
With such happenings, will the general public be wrong to assume that the ever vocal IBA boss, who has been executing unlawful bidding from the PF to help it in its war to blackout the media, has been assured of protection by her pay masters?
Or could this be the reason why Ms Mapoma has been aiding the PF in suffocating the media space in the country through its closure of media houses perceived to be critical of Government?
Instead of suppressing those with dissenting and divergent views on behalf of the PF, maybe Ms Mapoma should start putting her house in order.
The UPND, therefore, wishes to call on law enforcement agencies to swiftly move in and investigate Ms Mapoma and Mr Nkandu for abuse of authority of office by a public servant and other illegalities taking place at the IBA.
UPND MEDIA TEAM
