State-run Small and Medium Enterprise Development Institute (Smedi) did not renew the contract of its former chief executive officer Charles Kazembe after it expired in October 2016. Kazembe was implicated in a K21 million telephone and fuel allowance scam following an audit by Central Internal Audit Unit of the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development last year.
Smedi acting CEO Richard Zidana confirmed that Kazemebe is no longer at the institution. “I am not sure of the real reason his contract was not renewed, but I can assure you it has nothing to do with what he was implicated in. It is unfortunate that the board is no longer there; otherwise, they would have given you the details. Management was also never given the final conclusion,” he said.
In May last year, the Central Internal Audit Unit recommended disciplining and removal of the top three bosses at Smedi, including Kazembe, following audit findings.
