Allocating 1.5 million to the office of first lady is theft of public resources - FDD

By Staff Reporter, Lusaka 

FDD spokesperson Antonio Mwanza says the decision by the PF Government to allocate 1.5 million kwacha in the national budget to the office of first lady is fraudulent and institutionalized theft of public resources. 

Mr Mwanza says the office of the first lady is an imaginary office which does not legally exist and it is theft of the highest order to allocate public funds to an office which is not only illegal but actually does not exist. 

He explains that Article 265 of the Republican Constitution clearly stipulates that only public offices, state organs and state institutions are entitled to state funding. 

“Any other entity that does not fall in this category is not entitled to receive state funds. A public office means an office whose emoluments and expenses are a charge on the Consolidated Fund or other prescribed public fund and includes a State Office, Constitutional Office and an office in the public service, including that of the member of the commission. And clearly the office of the first lady does not fall under any of the aforementioned categories. In short the office of the first lady is illegal and does not deserve to be funded by taxpayers,” Mr Mwanza explains. 

Mr Mwanza adds that there are no financial regulations that guides how that 1.5 million should be utilized. 

“That money can neither be accounted for nor audited. The First Lady has the mono authority to spend the money in any way she wants so how will the public benefit from such a fraudulent allocation?” he says. 

Mr Mwanza has further said that parliament has a solemn duty to ensure prudence, transparency and accountability in the manner public resources are allocated and managed.