WATCHDOG STORY ON RTSA TOTAL MALICE

Lusaka, 19th January 2018.

Road Transport and Safety Agency RTSA Chief Executive Officer Zindaba Soko says the story published on some bogus online media alleging corruption and abuse of authority at the agency lacks merit and out of total malice.

The Zambian Watchdog recently published an article implicating the RTSA boss of being involved in countless allegations of corruption and recruitment of individuals in abrogation of section 3.6 of the RTSA conditions of service. If Mr Soko is corrupt let the people who created this story report to Acc and not social media. When a thief is stealing where have you seen that as citizens we run to social media? This is a clear sign of malice.

But Mr. Soko said the publication should be dismissed with the contempt it deserves as RTSA remains a professional statutory body that follows all outlined procedures in recruitment and expenditure which can far be linked to any corrupt activities challenging those with evidence to report to the Anti Corruption Commission ACC to substantiate their claims instead of tarnishing the agency’s reputation.

“I saw that story and to say the least it’s meant to distract the public to issues that are neither here nor there. Government has systems for checks and balances and when there are any matters to be handled this is done by procedure. RTSA is not Zindaba Soko RTSA is a government agency governed by rules, laws and procedures. I do not recruit people there is a responsible department to handle that and all I do is to oversee and that’s my duty we’re we have erred we have corrected scenarios in adherence to what guides us. If you compare what RTSA was years back in terms of procedures and now we have made a lot of positive strides the agency was not guided on what policies should guide us and this we have put these in place and we are implementing. So the Government has systems that when anything goes wrong against procedure the responsible wings will move in and inquire.

You know time tells a story and in this story we have individuals who have seen that time is catching up with them with what they have been doing wrong. I will not be intimidated let them write paragraphs of whatever this is the last time am responding.

The Watchdog lied that RTSA has been rocked with corruption and abuse of office where Director and Chief Executive Officer Zindaba Soko and scores of fellow PF cadres have continued to violate management procedures and treasury regulations.

Mr. Soko said he is not a politician and will not involve in such unfounded allegations that lacks substance.

He said the Agency is subject to auditing to which if any irregularities are recorded, people responsible would have been prosecuted already. He said his appointment as RTSA boss is on merit and recommendation by the board of directors and not just an individual.

Mr. Soko has since challenged those making petty allegations to substantiate their claims.