Lungu sends Education PS Henry Tukombe on forced leave

President Edgar Lungu has sent Ministry of General Education Permanent Secretary Henry Tukombe on administrative leave to pave way for investigations into the alleged theft of donor funds at the Ministry.

State House spokesperson Amos Chanda announced the development at a media briefing today.

The corruption scandal at the Ministry of Education has seen already seen close to 80 members of staff suspended pending investigations.

And Chanda has said that government has repaid the 2.7 million pounds to the Department for International Development (DFID) a British government agency.

The money which was meant for vulnerable people under the Social Cash Transfer scheme administered by the Ministry of Community Development and disbursed through the Zambia Postal Services, was stolen but after the donors withdrew aid and demanded to be refunded, the Zambian government claimed the money was never stolen but was intact in a Zanaco account.

Chanda told the press that the money was paid back on Monday October 1, 2018 and that no government money was used to make the refund.

The Social Cash Transfer scandal cost Minister of Community Development Emerine Kabanshi her job but Chanda insists that the dismissal of Kabanshi was administrative.