THE Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has cleared former Dangote Industries Zambia Limited human resources manager Bala Zango whom Minister of Labour and Security Fackson Shamenda reported for allegedly attempting to bribe him.
But Mr Shamenda said it is up to the ACC to determine whether to institute investigations into the matter or not as it considers several technicalities.
Mr Shamenda said he has no problem with the move by ACC not to institute investigations against Mr Zango for allegedly offering him a bribe.
“I have no problem with what the ACC has finally decided to do in the case I reported, though the problem now is that some people would put my name in the mud,” he said in an interview.
Mr Shamenda said this may be the reason several people shun reporting cases of corruption to the ACC.
He said his interest was to send a signal to the corporate world against bribing government officials in their quest to do business in Zambia.
On September 13, 2014, Mr Shamenda revealed that Mr Zango allegedly attempted to bribe him at a hotel.Dangote dismissed the allegations as malicious misinformation.
Below is the full statement by ACC
PRESS STATEMENT
ALLEGED BRIBERY AGAINST A DANGOTE OFFICIAL
In light of various queries received on the position of the Commission on the above captioned subject, the Anti- Corruption Commission (ACC) wishes to confirm receipt of a complaint on the matter from Honourable Fackson Shamenda, Minister of Labour and Social Security.
The Commission wishes to advise that after due consideration of the complaint, the Commission has not instituted any investigations into the matter. In arriving at this decision the Commission has taken into consideration, among other issues, the circumstances and likelihood of an investigation which will disclose facts that show that an offence was committed under the Anti- Corruption Act.
The Commission would like to take this opportunity to remind members of the public to always report any cases of alleged or suspected corrupt practices directly and in confidence to the ACC.
In terms of Section 39 (1) of the Anti- Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012, Public Officers are particularly required to make a full report to the ACC or the Police, of any gratification corruptly given, promised or offered to them within twenty- four (24) hours of the occurrence of the event.
Failure to do so without reasonable cause, amounts to an offence on the part of the public officer who is liable, upon conviction to a fine not exceeding two hundred thousand (200, 000) penalty units or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two (2) years, or both.
In light of the above, the Commission wishes to encourage all members of the public and public officers alike to report all cases of alleged or suspected corrupt practices directly and in confidence in order for the Commission to appropriately and timely deal with the cases in line with its mandate under the law.
Timothy Moono
PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER
Mr Dangote is really powerful for ACC to act so quickly and release findings.
Come on ACC. Do the same with other cases so that Zambians can start benefiting from your existence. So it is possible for ACC to act quickly.
ACC must be investigated, but by who? What a corrupt institution. They opened the enveloped which dull Shamenda refused.
Shamenda should make sure that he stays loyal to PF no matter what. If he tries anything against PF, ACC ,police and DEC will be directed to visit him again but for real this time.
This Act has never been followed to the letter. It is being used in the usual, Zambian, selective way. What a mess!
The Shamenda should face jonjolo for the misleading accusations, not just yapping that, ” I have no problem with that” my cool low?!
It was Shamenda then, who desperately wanted a “bribe” and let him trim those whiskers. “Dinner bla bla” , Shams wanted the around the world retreat but could only be used for a solo dinner plate.
Mambala Shams, 2016 on the horizon, if not earlier, with Sata’s failure to prudently open parliament whom Shamenda insinuated to be ” fit, healthy and working” at “State House”.
If a razor blade is problematic now, what about after PF is democratically elected out of politics?
Ask Joseph Katema who was found in the Russian mortuary due to vodka intoxication in the 80s.
Shams accusations of Dangote signifies betrayal of ones corruptions.
Is this a reminder to Shamenda as well to pay that fine or face 2 years behind bars?
there is definitely something weird with the ACC Act No.3 section 39(1)…..a crime is a crime weather committed months ago or yesterday…if as a victim/whistle blower I fail to report within 24hrs I become liable…..??…even rape cases which happened years ago are being pursued now…..that Game store manager was reported days after the incident…..ACC to amend the act and remove that 24hrs nonsense….
Shamenda is a very corrupted chap he reported that to cover his dirty face.
True that! But your name?
How come Chiluba and Rupiah Banda were being investigated for case that were over 24Hrs? The only reason is that Dangote is too powerful for ACC, the don’t have courage investigate Dangote.
The ONUS is on Shamenda to declare any gifts including a lunch at a hotel. He ate the money first, then he turns round and cries ‘corruption.’ It is like a prostitute who has s e x first and when not paid cries ‘ r a p e !’.
The mistake was with Shamenda. How do you report a case without evidence even if it s true? Nigerians are very craft and you cant frame them that easily. Next time capture on camera Shameda cause nobody believes you this time. Nigerians have read to many James Hardley Chase novels.
PF are all dullards, not just Shamenda.
THE ISSUE IS VERY SIMPLE HERE,ACC HAS SEEN THAT HON.SHAMENDA IS ON THE WRONG.THIS STATEMENT IS SIMPLY TO SAVE THE HON MINISTER FROM THE OBVIOUS EMBARRASING OUTCOME OF THIS CASE. ITS NOT THAT DANGOTE IS POWERFUL, BUT THAT IT WILL BE DIFFICULT FOR THE MINISTER TO PROVE THIS ALLEGED BRIBE. REMEMBER THE MINISTER MET BALA ALONE,NO WITNESS,IN THE END IT IS THE MINISTER’S WORD AGAINST THAT OF MR BALA. WHAT A VICTORY FOR DANGOTE,I CAN HERE DANGOTE MANAGEMENT LAUGHING AT THIS POOR MINISTER,,WHAT A VICTORY!
The problem here is that Shamenda chose to go public before reporting ACC. First he should have reported to ACC and then go public if need be. There was no need for him to blow the whistle publicly because you put pressure on ACC especially that he is aminister.
He who pays the piper calls the tune. money talks bullshit walks. Poor Shamenda sure his face will be dragged in the SEWER.Totally ignored by ACC – double standards. ACC & DEC should be scrapped let the POLICE do the work –
Dangote cement 2
****well shame inda 0
Fulltime
Zambians please lets get serious with running affairs of our country. Why should such sub-standard actors be allowed to continue putting the name of the nation to shame?
I can never accuse someone of corruption if all he does is offer me lunch during a business discussion, that is ridiculous.
If I were Mr Shamewell, I would shut my trap after the ACC statement. Hasn’t the poor and honourable fellow read between the lines, that ACC has just spared him 2 years behind bars for not reporting the alleged corruption within 24 hrs as required by law? That there was no way an offer of lunch was going to stand up in court as “evidence” of corruption? In this case only one person could become liable on the weight of evidence and not reporting in time, and that can only be Mr Shamewell.
Even if Shamenda was dubious or non wise in reporting this case. We cannot let Nigerians get a foothold of Zambia, I do not care whether you support HH, The president or FDD.
Hon.shamenda shouldnt hav gone to the same dinner alone,atleast if there were any witnesses to testify in his favor,its jus hear say nw wit no evidence
Shamenda is really dull. To me he was seeking a bribe as well as trying to fight for that Indian PF cement manufacturer in Ndola whose fortunes will dwindle once Dangote Cement starts production. Shamenda made similar noises about corruption in the Kalulushi housing scheme by NAPSA when the corruption actually arose from the road contractor their government have single sourced on many road projects notably the Chiawa-Chirundu. Perhaps he hopes to also burry trucks of cash by the time he his abuse of the labour ministry ends in 2016