A witness in the ambulance procurement case involving former Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Kennedy Malama and seven others has told the Lusaka Magistrate Court that the 50 ambulances at the centre of the proceedings have never been produced before the court.
Former Director of Clinical Care and Diagnostic Services Dr. Gardener Syakantu testified during cross-examination that he had only seen one ambulance and confirmed that the 50 vehicles referred to in an internal memorandum had not been presented as evidence.
He also says his department only initiated the request for the ambulances and was not responsible for carrying out the procurement process.
Dr. Syakantu further told the court that once the memorandum received approval, the matter was handed over to the procurement unit to undertake the acquisition process.
The evidence was given in the case in which former Permanent Secretary Dr. Kennedy Malama and seven others are defending themselves against charges of willful failure to follow applicable procurement procedures in the acquisition of 50 ambulances.
By Josphat Hamakala
