Tomscoll says he asked to stop probe

 MINISTER for Agriculture and Livestock Tommy Tomscoll admitted he asked to stop an investigation by an external team into the misuse of funds at the department because of lack of money. 

He said he considered it appropriate that the audit team from the Department of Finance and the Office of the Auditor-General should investigate instead of the external investigation team as it would save the department from spending more money.

During question time in parliament yesterday, Tomscoll clarified that he wrote to the then chief secretary to terminate the external team (appointed by chief secretary) and allow a team appointed by the Finance Department to carry out investigations which is currently ongoing. 

“I don’t have power to terminate the external team appointed by the chief secretary so I wrote to him requesting that he disallow the external investigation team and allow the Finace department appointed team to investigate,” he said. 

“I considered that fact that it is appropriate to let normal government investigation process take place by the Finance Department and auditors from the Auditor-General’s office. 

“A preliminary investigation indicated an over expenditure of K52.8 million at the department which prompted the series of investigations by the external team and the Finance Department at the same time. I considered there is lack of money at the department to spend on the external investigation team so I asked the chief secretary in writing to terminate it,” he said. 

Tomscoll also explained the permamant appointments of department secretary and managing director of the Rural Development Bank.