CDPP Demands Answers Over Attorney General Report Citing Missing Mukula Logs, Unpaid Suppliers

The Center for the Democratisation of Public Policy (CDPP) has called on government ministries and public institutions to explain outstanding queries highlighted in the 2025 Auditor General’s report, saying Zambians deserve answers about the management of public resources.

CDPP Executive Director Kellys Kaunda said the organisation was not accusing the institutions mentioned of wrongdoing but was calling for transparency and accountability over issues raised in the audit report.

Among the concerns highlighted by Kaunda is the whereabouts of more than 5,000 mukula logs reportedly belonging to the State.

He also questioned why some suppliers to the Ministry of Health had remained unpaid on invoices dating back to 2014, warning that delayed payments could undermine private-sector development and affect businesses supplying public institutions.

CDPP has further called on the Ministry of Mines to explain why more than K600 million in penalties reportedly remained uncollected.

Kaunda said unresolved questions surrounding the management of the country’s natural resources risk fuelling public speculation if authorities do not provide clear explanations.

The organisation also wants the Ministry of Justice to account for an audit query involving more than K3 billion linked to payouts and funds owed to the government.

Kaunda said compensation arising from court judgments against the government ultimately places a financial burden on taxpayers and therefore requires public scrutiny.

Despite these concerns, CDPP expressed cautious optimism about the government’s management of public finances, pointing to a cash surplus noted in the Auditor General’s report.

Kaunda said the surplus, while not equivalent to a profit, could indicate that lessons had been learnt from Zambia’s debt challenges and their impact on public finances.

However, he cautioned against prioritising a favourable balance sheet at the expense of necessary public spending.

CDPP urged the relevant institutions to respond to the audit queries, emphasising that transparency and accountability were essential to maintaining public confidence in the management of national resources.