CCJP queries govt over Njauju, K557bn audit

Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) has challenged government to find the murderers of Anti-Corruption Bureau senior official Issa Njauju and also update the nation on the ongoing K557 billion forensic audit into government.

Speaking in an exclusive interview, CCJP acting national coordinator Martin Chiphwanya described the failure by the State to bring Njauju’s murder to justice as a stain on the national quest to good governance.
“It is disappointing to see the silence over the investigation, we don’t know what is happening to the investigation and this is a blow to justice delivery in the country because those who are involved in fighting corruption in the country now know they are vulnerable, can be attacked with impunity without the impunity being checked or brought to book,” said Chiphwanya.
On the audit investigation, Chiphwanya said it was worrisome to note that since the announcement of the audit was made, both the National Audit Office (NAO) and other government agencies have shied away from updating the nation on its progress.
He said while the nation understands the need to ensure security of the audit and investigators, it was essential that periodic updates were made to ensure that the process remains transparent and credible to the citizenry and all stakeholders.
But in an e-mailed response on Thursday, NAO spokesperson Lawrence Chinkhunda called for patience on the audit.
“You may also wish to note our previous response on the same (role of NAO, transparency mechanisms/arrangements and security measures in the exercise) as you connect with this response. An audit is a process that covers planning including risk assessment, execution, thus application of audit tests, evidence gathering and drawing of conclusions and reporting on the audit findings following prescribed procedures.
“A forensic investigation such as this one which has a wide scope and coverage requires thorough planning hence needs more time. However, you will recall that the Auditor General issued a press statement in June 2015 indicating that the final results would be ready after 10 months,” said Chinkhunda.
He said although the audit faced delays in the procurement of special audit services which delayed the start of the audit, the team was doing its best to meet set timelines.
Germany, UK and other western governments are supporting the audit. However, there have been fears by civil society and opposition parties that the government is not committed to the probe fearing it will unearth corruption by current top government officials. n