By: Malanding Darboe & Sandally Sawo
Revenue collector at the BAC Lamin Kurang told the Local Government Commission of Inquiry on Wednesday that one of his cash books was eaten up by termites.
A resident of Busumbala, Kurang appeared before the commission on July, 10th and during his testimony, he provided a cash book for 2017 to 2019. He, however, claimed that one cash book was eaten up by termites while the cover of the cashbook for 2020 and 2023 was devoured by termites.
Asked by lead counsel Patrick Gomez as to how the 2023 cash book could be eaten to the point of degeneration he presented it to the commission, Kurang said the book he brought to the commission was indeed the cash book. He said the book was kept at his home, where its pages were destroyed by termites. Kurang added he took the book to his home for safe-keeping, explaining that cash books have gone missing from the council’s custody and that he did not want to be a victim of this.
Referencing the Financial Manual for Local Governments, lead counsel Gomez put it to Kurang that he should return exhausted cash books to the council before demanding another one. Kurang said he never did that though he should have done it. He said he decided to keep the cash books to prevent it from going missing but counsel Gomez was unconvinced.
“The problem is not what you are saying. The problem is you have so many instances of cash suppression and you do not want to submit the cash book to show what you have been doing,” counsel Gomez maintained.
The witness admitted that he had a cash shortfall of D12, 000 which, he testified, happened while he was away on leave. When pressed by counsel Gomez on the whereabouts of the D12, 000,Kurang said the cash was spent. When quizzed about the money he collected on certain dates in June and August of year 2022,Kurang said he had shortages because he had financial problems to solve. He could not present the cash book for the D10, 000 he collected on 22nd and 28th of October, respectively. He said that termites ate it up. Following rigorous cross-examination, Kurang told the commission that if he did not deposit the money into the council’s bank account, it meant the money was with him. He later admitted to spending the money, adding that he was prepared to pay it back.
He also admitted to the commission that he could not account for the D13, 000 he collected on various dates in December of year 2022.
“Wherever we turn to, your name keeps appearing,” the lead counsel told Kurang and this was received by the witness with a deafening silence. Sittings continue.