Daily Mail: Nevers Mumba, Barrick Gold in $122,000 scandal Zambian Watchdog December 21st, 2011 |
MMD aspiring presidential candidate Nevers Mumba solicited and received
more than half a billion Kwacha (US$122,000) from the largest gold
digger in the world, Barrick Gold, purporting to fund a Zambian cultural
week as High Commissioner to Canada, the government controlled and
owned Zambia Dail Mail says it can reveal.
However, investigations have revealed that the fire and brimstone
preacher could have used the money given to the embassy for purposes
other than what the money was meant for. In a phone interview yesterday, the pastor admitted knowledge of the
money but denied any sinister action, saying everything was done above
board contrary to documentation in possession of the Daily Mail which
places him in a questionable spot. �I am aware about the money from Barrick Gold but it went to the hosting
of Amayenge by the Zambian Canada Cultural Exchange,� Dr. Mumba said
without elaborating further. Documentation shows that: According to Government regulations, any monies obtained using the
mission abroad needed approval from the permanent secretary, which was
not the case in this instance, therefore, further raising questions on
Dr Mumba�s dealings. Mr Nathan Chishimba, the Barrick Gold Lumwana Mining Company (LMC)
corporate affairs manager, last evening told the Mail he was aware that
his company � from the Toronto office � had assisted in the mission
cultural event with money but lacked �further details.� The jury is still out on whether there was any wrong- doing in the
manner Dr Mumba handled matters at the mission but so far he stands
accused of �impropriety� by President Sata who has embarked on an
anti-graft fight he says shall spare no-one. The President has said no amount of �witch-hunt� or �retribution�
accusations from those within and without the ruling PF shall slow him
because corruption promotes poverty and erodes governance. The pastor, who has since handed back his diplomatic passport, has pleaded innocence and says he cannot abuse public funds as a man who fears God but investigations continue. |