A storm is brewing in Zambia over the controversial $13 million procurement of ambulances under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), an initiative intended to strengthen grassroots healthcare. Instead, it has become a lightning rod for criticism, symbolizing bureaucratic inefficiency and raising serious concerns about potential corruption within government institutions.
The Scandal Unveiled
The controversy emerged during Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearings, chaired by Bwana Mkubwa MP Warren Mwambazi, as the committee reviewed the Auditor General’s report on Zambia’s financial accounts for 2023. Central to the issue was the procurement of 156 ambulances by the Ministry of Local Government, the Ministry of Health, and the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA).
Despite a massive expenditure of K336,173,760 (approximately $13 million), only 11 ambulances have been delivered, a year after the procurement process was finalized. The original delivery deadline, set for June 2024, has been extended to December 2024, with an additional extension sought for February 2025.
Procurement Irregularities
The procurement process has been criticized for bypassing open public tendering, which is crucial for ensuring fairness and competition. Instead, selective bidding was used under the pretext of an emergency. However, the delayed delivery timeline undermines this justification, raising questions about the integrity of the procurement process.
Contracts were awarded to Ace Pharmaceuticals and Aqueous Investments, neither of which are accredited dealers or manufacturers of Toyota Land Cruisers, the vehicles specified for the ambulances. This decision excluded official franchise holders like Toyota Zambia, which could have provided warranties and after-sales service.
Further controversy surrounds the price tag. Each ambulance reportedly costs $288,000—an amount critics argue could have been significantly lower through competitive bidding. Civil society groups and opposition leaders suspect deliberate inflation of costs to benefit specific individuals or companies.
Questionable Decisions and Delays
The scandal deepened with revelations of unnecessary expenses. Officials from the Ministries of Local Government and Health, along with ZAMMSA, traveled to Dubai to inspect the ambulances’ assembly—a trip that critics claim added no value to the project.
The contracts, signed in June 2023, stipulated a delivery timeline of 16 to 20 weeks. Yet officials now argue that meeting this timeline was “impossible.” PAC has expressed frustration, particularly given the project’s initial classification as an emergency.
Broader Implications
The controversy has far-reaching implications, not least for the Constituency Development Fund itself. Designed to decentralize development and support underserved communities, the CDF’s reputation has been tarnished, with rural residents and healthcare workers still struggling to access emergency services.
This procurement scandal also casts a shadow over President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration, which campaigned on promises of transparency and zero tolerance for corruption. The debacle challenges the effectiveness of the government’s anti-corruption measures and raises doubts about its commitment to good governance.
Public Outrage and Calls for Accountability
Civil society organizations, opposition parties, and ordinary Zambians have expressed outrage, demanding accountability and systemic reforms in public procurement practices. Critics argue that the involvement of middlemen, repeated delays, and lack of transparency are symptomatic of broader governance challenges.
PAC hearings continue to shed light on the scandal, with public pressure mounting for the government to take decisive action. For President Hichilema’s administration, this is a defining moment—a chance to either restore public trust or risk being seen as perpetuating the same failings it promised to eradicate.
The ambulance procurement scandal serves as a stark reminder of the need for transparency, accountability, and efficiency in public projects. As the UPND government grapples with the fallout, Zambians are watching closely, demanding justice and reforms. Whether the administration rises to the occasion or allows this issue to fester remains to be seen.
For now, the scandal is a critical test of the government’s credibility and its ability to address corruption head-on.
