President Hakainde Hichilema has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to transparency and justice as investigations continue into the recent forensic audit of Zambia’s medical supply chain. The audit, conducted by global accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), uncovered serious irregularities in the procurement and distribution of medical supplies, sparking a comprehensive probe by relevant law enforcement agencies.
In a statement released by State House Chief Communications Specialist Clayson Hamasaka, President Hichilema emphasized that no individual, regardless of their position or status, will be shielded from accountability if found culpable. “Everyone remains innocent until proven guilty, and the findings will be made public once investigations and due process have concluded,” the President declared.
The forensic audit was commissioned last year as part of a series of decisive steps aimed at tackling deep-rooted, systemic challenges in the medical sector — challenges the President described as “cancerous” and linked to the historical theft of medicines. The involvement of PwC was meant to ensure an independent, transparent assessment of the sector’s operations.
President Hichilema’s decision to engage an external auditor was initially met with resistance from opposition parties. Ironically, those same parties have now seized upon the audit’s preliminary findings in political discourse. Nevertheless, the President remains unwavering in prioritizing integrity over partisan interests.
Since the release of the audit’s initial results, swift action has been taken. This includes the dissolution of the management board of the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA), with the director general position being advertised publicly to attract strong and capable leadership. These moves are designed to renew and strengthen institutional capacity to prevent future mismanagement.
Mr. Hamasaka noted that all government departments involved are cooperating fully with law enforcement to guarantee that the investigative process is thorough, impartial, and just. The President’s statement underscored that there will be “no sacred cows” in the pursuit of accountability.
The ongoing investigations reflect the government’s broader drive to restore public trust and ensure that resources intended to safeguard public health are managed responsibly. As the process unfolds, Zambians await the final findings with keen interest, hopeful for decisive outcomes that will reinforce transparency and good governance in the medical sector.