FORMER Republican president, Rupiah Banda and 14 others who include some of his former ministers, may face arrest following Cabinet’s unanimous decision that they stand trial on allegations of corruption and breach of financial regulations.
Cabinet resolved on Wednesday that Mr Banda alongside former minister of Finance and National Planning, Situmbeko Musokotwane and former Works and Supply minister, Mike Mulongoti should stand trial in connection with alleged irregularities at the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) which took place during the MMD’s reign.
The resolution is hinged on recommendations to Cabinet by the Kingsley Chanda-Commission of Inquiry in the 117-paged report that was handed over to President Michael Sata last month.
The report was released to the public yesterday by Finance and National Planning Minister, Alexander Chikwanda during a media briefing in Lusaka.
Mr Chikwanda said Cabinet held a meeting on Wednesday at which it was resolved that Mr Banda and 14 other officials listed in the report should stand trial on allegations of corruption, abuse of authority and generally breaching financial regulations.
The report contains a list of 14 people that should be prosecuted because of their alleged roles in suspected financial transgressions in the previous government and Mr Banda appears on top of the list while Dr Musokotwane, is second.
The report recommends that Mr Banda should be tried because he allegedly participated in the procurement of four extra-border cargo scanners and for his alleged role in increasing a loan from China from US$100 million to $125 million. A Chinese company, Nuctech, was single-sourced to come and manage the scanners.
Mr Banda has been a subject of debate on whether his immunity should be lifted so that he could have an opportunity to clear his name of allegations of impropriety.
Dr Musokotwane’s company, ZamBuild Investment Limited, is alleged to have supplied bricks to Varun Beverages of Lusaka, a company he is alleged to have earlier awarded tax concessions for five years.
But Dr Musokotwane said he was ready to face the law and that the State would have to prove in the courts of law that the business his company got to supply the bricks to the Pepsi Manufacturing Company was based on the tax deferment that Varun Beverages was given.
Dr Musokotwane charged the Government merely wanted to victimise political opponents as Cabinet could not discuss who should be prosecuted or not but that this role should be left to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and security wings.
The report has also named former minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Eustarckio Kazonga while Mr Mulongoti has been named over his alleged role in awarding of border concessions for the management of Nakonde, Mwami, Jimbe, Kipushi and Chanida.
Mr Mulongoti has also been mentioned over the award of the Kasumbalesa Border Post concession, while former Transport and Communications minister, Geoffrey Lungwangwa has also been named.
But Mr Mulongoti said he was available to stand before any security officer to explain the transaction at Kasumbalesa Border because all the money came from a private company and that no single “ngwee” came from the treasury.
Mr Mulongoti said the chairperson of the Commission of Inquiry, Mr Chanda, should have declared interest instead of participating in the probe as he also allegedly participated and lost during the tender process.
He said Mr Chanda also allegedly benefitted from the Chirundu Border project as a consultant and was paid Government money.
Mr Mulongoti wondered why Mr Chanda did not invite him to testify when sittings were opened instead of naming them in a report which did not portray his side of the story.
He said it did not make sense to open tenders for a project that would be funded by a private investor who was willing to handover the project to the Zambian Government after recovering their profits.
The report also states that former Secretary to the Treasury, Likolo Ndalamei would have to answer over his alleged role in the cancellation of the Nakonde border construction project.
Incumbent ZRA director of administration, Tenthani Banda, has also been named and so has former ZRA Commissioner-General, Wisdom Nhekairo over his alleged role in the contract to a company called Bradwell.
Mr Nhekairo’s predecessor, Criticles Mwansa will have to justify the alleged direct bidding of Nuctech, Cargo Scans and the procurement of four additional scanners and reduction of the tender floatation period from eight weeks to one week.
The report states that the additional scanners were clearly not needed.
Former Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) director-general, David Kapitolo, is mentioned for alleged failure to verify information made available to ZPPA by ZRA in relation to the direct bidding of the companies.
[Times of Zambia]
Arrest them all without trial.
Arrest them all without trial. Too much stealing from the stone clashers of kalingalinga
Former President arrested??
HAHAHAHAHAH!
Kwisa…?
*****…where is mubarak…the ivory coast presido and many more…who is RB to you…your god….
Ask Chirac France former president and Israeli President, what happened to them? Stop nonsense, no one is above the law!
Mulongoti and Mpombo you are going to eat your own vomitus,Time to get your pay cheque from your friend King Dull Cobra.
I WONDER WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO THIS COUNTRY IF MMD WON….
Let the law take it’s course. Let’s all fight the corruption and bring sanity to our leadership.
One Zambia One Nation.
Utter nonsense and a waste of tax payers money.Were those scanners bought for peoples living rooms or the Zambian borders? Here goes long drawn out court cases which will be of little benefit to Zambians.Infact 2017 Sata and his cabinet will also be on trial for misappropriation of funds,single handedly creating provinces without following procedure,depleting national coffers..the list goes on.When is this circus going to end!
nonsense
I hope pf know what they are setting themselves up for when they leave power.Already they have done alot of things unconstitutinally.
MMD FOOLS BEHAVED LIKE ANIMALS AT A CIRCUS! Whether they protest or not, a lot of them wil b caged!
let us wait and see,the idi amini and zimbabwe era are in by a group of kagaroos.the courts integrity has been challenged as to whether they just read and follow cabinet decisions.Please can someone list zambia`s full cabinet,it will ring very louder bells.is it a clans decision or cabinet decision.it looks like a clan decision.most of these people in cabinet will spend many years in jail as most of them dont match the calibre and intelligece of people they are persecuting.
you have said the truth
what goes around comes around. Jesus these MMD boys where fast.
Thats what the new govt is all about- nothing other than witch hunting…….. they are wasting too much money on these commissions of inquiry yet in the end all these people they want to arrest will walk away free due to lack of evidence and they wont recover anything from what they claim to have been stolen. They should focus on national development other that waste time and resources witch hunting. Its sad to have talented and educated ministers sitting for commission of inquiries trying to arrest former leaders when they could actually be out there working to improve the nation and make Zambia a better place to live. its such a shame to Zambia.
If there was so much corruption, can’t we just have a truth and reconciliation process and get over it? These allegations, trials, and innuendo are going to tear the nation apart, cost a ton of money, scare investors away, and eventually expose the current government to allegations of wrongful action by the next government. Zambia does not need four and half years (or more) of vindictive in-fighting, but instead needs real systems to improve transparency and prevent future corruption. Some open (non-aggressive/non-defensive) discussion of what transpired may a good way to start building those systems.
iwe chi madea ikalafye ngataukwete ifyakilanda. aba bamambala should be made to face trial also as a warning to those in public service now! If mmd had won this country would be stripped by these thieves….
How can a bunch of illiterate fools masquerading as goverment decide which cases to prosecute when they have little or no understanding on legal matters.give yourselves six more months the bubble will burst since these chimps you preside over in this poor country will realise that actually hunger is still with them big time and the`ll be begin mourning upon realising that they were conned.
The plunderers, thieves, charlatans have to be jailed first! We should resolutely aim to imprison any body who helped themselves to what didn’t belong to them.
As Mr Mulongoti is saying mr Chanda should also be investigated, you should nut let him go scotfree.
leadership crisis looming in zambia.
There is something very unprofessional about these reports from the so called commissions of inquiry. Surely the named people are available and should have been consulted before submitting the final report. And the scandal of it is that cabinet is accepting these reports wholesomely, shame!!
#8. Pf is setting a very good precedence. Only a fool of a mInister working in the currrent govenment will steel because they know the consequences. Nothing to be scared of once you leave office if your hands are clean.
I totally agree with you. The process might not be perfect, but in 5 -10 years time, we will look at this era as a defining moment in our history. Our blinkered views about stealing from the poor Zambian will cease to exist as a matter of routine. In my days I recall KK asking his ministers who were partying with the overnight rich Wina’s and Mwanga’s (Where do you think they have suddenly got their wealth from?)! I hope posterity will be kind to Pf for any unintended shortcomings in pursuit of new national values.
Just arrest them. So all thieves can learn that no one is above the law.. MMD what ever goes up must come down..
The same for PF. What goes round, comes around. You are gonna get yours.
THESE MMD CHAPS USED TO MOCK US WITH THIER SLOGAN SAYING “NGAULECHULA LOBE” IMAGINE? NOW ITS OUR TURN. IF MMD HAD WON THE ELECTIONS, WE WOUND HAVE BEEN IN DEEP SH**T. GOD IS GOOD. LETS CAGE THEM ALL.
Did they indeed have such a slogan?
ba Mulongoti, mulichisushi! Is this your reward for all that last minute PF ass licking you did? Serves you right for being so opportunistic. I pray that king cobby sends u straight to chimbokaila where you will quickly lose your ass virginity!
Dude you copy and pasted your comment hahahahaha
Can’t agree more with #13, indeed we shud probably go the truth and reconcilliation way.
What happened to george kunda, the ‘dullest lawyer’. Wasnt he part of this? now they have failed to find a case against him. Thats a dull lawyer right there.
Mike Mulongoti last minute opportunist munzi wapya lmao
All these cases will go quiet at some point including Liato`s K2.1bn issue. Politicians, they probably eat nshima, drink together, hold parties, their children are married etc. What happened to KK`s 100 plus cases when Chiluba came to power? What has happened to Chiluba (MHSRIP) and Regina`s cases? Plus many more……………………………
What am not getting from all these reports and people crying for arrests of the mentioned persons is what the accused stole or benefited in a personal capaccity.For example: What did Mulongoti steal exactly? What did RB steal exactly? What did Eustarico Kazonga steal? Did they steal the scanners at th boarders or is implementing government policies corruption? Most importantly, who is this Cabinet composed of? Is Cabinet some form of Police and Lawyer or indeed judge?
chanda should be investigated as well, what is he hiding? ufisanji iwe chanda bell?
Chanda is a corrupt chap.Therefore he can’t submit sensible things.Mulogoti is very right.This chanda was fired from ZRA coz of corruption.I support PF but chanda is wrong chap.Viva PF please Ba sata investigate chanda also.he should be asked why was he fired from ZRA.
Let all named guys face trail and explain what transpired.Good move but chanda is a question mark chap.
They will probably sacrifice some pony like they did with Richard Sakala. I don`t trust politicians.
@ blackbull_______________it does not matter how educated, intelligent the former leaders are ,, the fact is they treated GRZ as a family corner shop, taking as they pleased,, the west is very much in favour of these people being jailed. Do you think HE MCS has not consulted with the west on this, already London was not impressed with the Chiluba saga. This and very stiff jail terms will deter ministers and all those in power from abusing office and public money or even taking bribes.. It had to start somewhere and HE MCS and his govt are setting a good example. Yes those that stole or abused office should be arrested and tried, if found guilty stiff jail terms, because if this is not stopped now it will become the norm and we don,t want Chungu era. Only a fool would steal now VIVA PF
arrest them……..they stole from the poor zedians…
Definition of theft is ” getting something which is movable with the intention of permanently depriving the owner.” Definition of corruption is “receiving or giving something as an inducement in order to obtain a favour.” Definition of abuse of office is “using one’s position or authority as given by your office in oder to accrue benefits to oneself.” What are the specific crimes these people have commited?
It’s time Zambians stopped fearing anyone with more than 100 million Kwacha in the Bank. Arrest all the thieving culprits.
Too good 4 Mulongoti,he has always been a pain to zambians
#5 Truth teller,
That’s the million dollar question and I and millions other Zambians including well-meaning MMD members have been reflecting on this since September last year.
@ The cabinet has decided to arrest 14 former officials in the MMD government following ZRA commisions recommendations.
Are we following the laws of this country or we have Kangaroo court at State House in the name of Cabinet.What will be the role of investigating officers,DPP on this one.Please any sensable…………….advice.
Donors need to withhold aid from Zambia because giving aid to such a regime is propping up a despotic regime. Political opponents are being arrested and threatened with arrests yet PF cadres that committed kidnapping and grievous bodily harm when PF was in opposition were released as political prisoners. Cabinet CANNOT decide who should be arrested because this is anarchy; PF is asking for unprecedented action from the masses. Parliament must at least impeach this President. We told the Zambians not to trust a grade 7 with power, they never listened.
Dream on fool
Draw the curtains… episode 15 of the Drama series… ” Monkeys Vs Rats”…. ShiiiShiii ….Chwechwe … funny sounds from the audience in the dark . Hey where is Roy Clarke??
@ 36 you are entitled to your opinions__________donor have actaully been withholding aid to zambia, for over 6 years now. Its for this reason the govt has to clean up and set a precedent on this. Zambian would revolt if govt took no action in recovering the aid and monies stolen by the mmd govt. Zambian people want this mmd rot brought to book, only then will we call it a fresh start.The donor countries have been complaining about the mmd thefts for a long time now, hence the reduction in aid. Grade 7 HE MCS was elected by majority, you saw the masses celebrate in the streets when he won?? We rejoyced because he is one of us. We love our Kaponya grade 7 thats why all us kaponyas our relatives, monkeys, chickens,dogs & lozi,tonga,girlfriends will keep PF in power till 2031
Mama Dora should have used this photo for her campaing propaganda.
RB’s immunity will never be removed
Kambwili – paraphrased- ” chino chalo tulechichapa”
Dear Zambians,
Humility,tolerance and service are the core principles of a selfless leader.History alone tells us how such a leader is hard to come by.As a patriotic Zambian and as a youth of a country that is anchored on ” one Zambia,one Nation”, am saddened by the level of corruption and irregularities leveled against former leaders.I question and wonder why some people have decided to be more Zambian than others to the extent that they ignore the law by feeding on ignorance.They decide to rip off Zambians of their fair share to the country that they love.they have robbed Zambians of meaningful development in terms of health care,social security and infrastructure.i cry today as a Zambian and the only remedy is for these people to be probed.i rest my case.
WHAT happened to the technocrats who process all these documents before the politicians look at them????????? The whole civil service should be fired, WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT!
Kaponya govt for sure. Is this the way they will govern. Full of Kangaroo courts. Cabinet ministers are afraid of sata, they are simply endorsing his wishes while they enjoy the wages. Those with integrity may resign from this govt not too long from now.
Can someone tell us whether the did anything to advance their personal interests or not to warrant their arrest.A TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISION as one blogger has suggested is in the best interest of the nation.Personally I would like our leaders, past and present, respected.
Why respect people who have no mercy on us the poor??? Maybe you are enjoying your life pa Zed…. Well, some of us, our children and grandchildren have really suffered because of the plunderers. Cannot afford education, decent accommodation, jobs, medical etc just to mention but a few. Ku kakwa bebele, Ala!
How many been arretsed so far, since this stupdi thing started. mafiyenu
live RB alone
manga them all, shameless bloody criminals
I hope they won’t be just “warned and cautioned” as is the case nowadays…if they were going to be arrested the authorities should have closed in way before this report was publicised.
We yet to see anybody arrested, all talk no action!!
this is not the first time we are fighting corruption. we should learn from levy ‘s fight. Evidence is very important not speculation by a commission of inquiry but hard evidence. We have very good judges, very good prosecutors and very good lawyers for the accused. without evidence these three groups normally agree in trials and it might end up as another circus and waste of money. So let the yapping reduce and work on the proof
We only reconcile with someone who has admitted wrong doing and above all show remorse and payback what he stole.valgur language should not be entertained pa zed ba LT naimwe see what to publish.zambia is a cultured nation.if RB and the rest found wanting the law should clear them no whitch hunting
ON IN ZAMBIA IS IT A CRIME TO BE PRESIDENT. SAME THING HAPPEN TO LATE DR CHILUBA AND DR KAUNDA AND NOW IT HAPPENING TO DEAR “RB”. THESE MEN SHOULD BE LEFT ALONE. THE ONLY CRIME THEY COMMITTED WAS TO SERVE THE COUNTRY WELL.
ONLY IN ZAMBIA IS IT A CRIME TO BE PRESIDENT. SAME THING HAPPEN TO LATE DR CHILUBA AND DR KAUNDA AND NOW IT HAPPENING TO DEAR “RB”. THESE MEN SHOULD BE LEFT ALONE. THE ONLY CRIME THEY COMMITTED WAS TO SERVE THE COUNTRY WELL.
..There are two things here, and both of them are wrong. Former leaders stole and that is the truth. Current leaders are vuvuzela types, and the bulk of them are dull and afraid of one man.