LUSAKA, Oct. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Zambian government said on Wednesday that it has refunded the United Kingdom (UK) money it released for a social cash transfer scheme following allegations of fraud and corruption.
Chief Government Spokesperson Dora Siliya said the money, amounting to about 2.7 million British Pounds, was refunded on Monday this week.
She however told reporters during her weekly press briefing that the money did not come from government coffers but was the original money given by the UK government that had remained unutilized.
The UK government as well as other donors suspended funding to the program following alleged misapplication of funds.
The revelation prompted President Edgar Lungu to fire Emerine Kabanshi who was Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, a ministry which is in charge of the program.
He further ordered for a forensic audit of the program.
