The Public Accounts Committee is facing a deadlock as the absence of a key witness stalls the inquiry into the multi-billion kwacha Amaryllis Hotel deal.
Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is intensifying its pressure on the Executive regarding the ongoing absence of former Chief Secretary Colleen Zamba, a development that threatens to derail the high-stakes inquiry into the controversial Amaryllis Hotel sale.
During a recent session, Chief Secretary Justin Saidi faced pointed questions about why Zamba continues to avoid the committee, despite her central role in the transaction being scrutinized.. The inquiry centers on the K128 billion purchase of the Blantyre hotel by the Public Service Pension Trust Fund, a deal that has fueled significant public concern regarding procedural integrity and the potential misuse of public funds.
This standoff highlights a breakdown in institutional oversight where the inability to compel a key witness casts doubt on the efficacy of parliamentary probes into high-level financial decisions.
PAC chairperson Steven Malondera expressed clear frustration, noting that the committee feels hindered in its investigative capacity.. Zamba has offered various justifications for her absence, including medical reasons and an ongoing court case, yet these claims remain at odds with the committee’s own records, which suggest no such legal barriers exist that would prevent her testimony.
The committee intends to pursue formal communication with the Executive to resolve this contradiction.. Saidi, however, has signaled a disconnect, suggesting that because Zamba is no longer serving in the government, his office lacks the authority to compel her presence, effectively shifting the burden of accountability elsewhere.
This impasse underscores a critical gap in government coordination, raising concerns that public officials may evade scrutiny simply by exiting their roles, potentially leaving taxpayers without answers in cases involving significant financial transactions.
Saidi maintained that the committee holds its own legal mechanisms to force witness appearances if necessary. He declined to offer further comment on the legal disputes surrounding the case, citing the sub judice rule as the matter remains tied up in external court proceedings.
Meanwhile, Zamba’s legal counsel asserts that she will remain unavailable to the committee until the related court matters reach a conclusion.. This position has placed the entire inquiry in a state of suspended animation, especially since the probe was specifically reopened to ensure that all key figures, including Zamba, were given the chance to speak.
The persistent failure to bring this inquiry to a close suggests that institutional mechanisms for ensuring accountability may not be as robust as intended when facing resistance from high-profile figures.. Until these barriers are removed, the investigation into the hotel deal remains trapped in a cycle of procedural delays rather than delivering the transparency expected by the public.