Masebo Tribunal : Lawyer angers Chief in Masebo tribunal, almost walked out

Former Permanent Secretary in the ministry of Tourism, Amos Malupenga has told the Sylvia Masebo tribunal that the process of tendering for the hunting concessions was not transparent because it was marred by irregularities.

Mr Malupenga who is north western province permanent secretary testified that it was the obligation of the minister to fire the Zambia Wildlife Authority Directors because they did not adhere to instructions to include chiefs on the tender evaluation committee.

Mr Malupenga however told the tribunal that it was the responsibility of the Zambia Public Procurement Authority to cancel the tender and not the minister.

He has told the tribunal that it is not the Minister who was supposed to cancel the tender for the hunting concession.

And Chief Musunga Kachulwe Mangaila of Itezhi Tezhi district testified that he attended a meeting at Sandy’s Creation in Lusaka about Chiefs grievances with regards game management areas in their chiefdoms.

During cross examination by lawyer Keith Mweemba, Chief Mangaila who became irritated by the questions the lawyer was asking almost walked out of the tribunal, and it took the intervention of tribunal Chairperson Roydah Kaoma who pleaded with the traditional leader to stay.

He told the tribunal that there is need for the ministry of tourism to intervene and ensure chiefs benefit from the monies being made through hunting in their areas.