Mulumbe, Kantonga to know fate May 17: Admarc ‘maizegate’ probe concludes

The fate of suspended Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc) Foster Mulumbe will be known this Wednesd as a special committee which was hearing the matter will deliver its verdict.

The Admarc board on April 3 announced its decision to suspend Mulumbe alongside Director of Operations Feckson Kantonga following recommendations by a commission of inquiry instituted by President Peter Mutharika and another by Parliament.

The special committee— which is being headed by board member Ken Ndanga—was scheduled to present its findings to the board by April 21, but  Admarc Board Chairperson James Masumbu disclosed that the committee communicated that it needs 20 more days to finish its job.

Masumbu has said the special task force has concluded its job and that the verdict, on whether they were wrong or not, would be pronounced on Wednesday.

The special committee also includes three other board members and a representative each from the Department of Statutory Corporations, Department of Human Resource Management and Development, Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development.

The suspended CEO is facing four charges of performing duties in an unsatisfactory and inefficient manner, or neglecting or omitting to perform the same contrary to regulation 16(b) of Admarc conditions of service.

Mulumbe is also being charged with failing to conduct due diligence before contracting with Zambia Cooperative Federation, (ZCF) contrary to regulation 117 of the Public Procurement regulations. The third charge is disregarding standing operating instructions relevant to appointment contrary to regulation 16(e) of Admarc conditions of service.