The Government has intensified its crackdown on the theft and mismanagement of medicines in public health institutions, with 75 individuals arrested and 27 already convicted, following an extensive forensic audit into the country’s health supply chain.
In a joint press briefing, Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Hon. Jack Mwiimbu, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hon. Mulambo Haimbe, and Minister of Health Hon. Elijah Muchima provided updates on the audit’s findings and the government’s response to the theft of medicines and medical supplies.
Minister Jack Mwiimbu revealed that 401 facilities across the country had been raided as part of ongoing investigations. These operations led to the arrest of 75 individuals for offences under the Medicines and Allied Substances Act and the Penal Code.
“Out of those arrested, 27 individuals have already been convicted and fined in accordance with the penalties prescribed by the mentioned laws,” said Mwiimbu.
He also disclosed that five of the arrested individuals were linked to the Ministry of Health, indicating the existence of a coordinated syndicate involved in the systematic theft of government medicines.
In a further blow to public confidence, Mwiimbu announced that three former Directors of the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) had been arrested for disregarding procurement procedures between January 2023 and December 2024. The result was wasteful expenditure and the acquisition of medicines that did not meet the required 80 percent shelf-life standard.
The directors, now released on police bond, are expected to appear in court soon, and their case has been submitted to the National Prosecution Authority.
The Office of the Auditor General, in collaboration with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), has completed a forensic audit into the theft of medicines across public institutions. The findings have been handed over to the security wings.
“With the conclusion of the report, Zambians should expect more arrests. There will be no sacred cows,” Minister Mwiimbu assured the public.
Speaking at the same event, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hon. Mulambo Haimbe called for decorum in international engagements, reminding all stakeholders of the importance of adhering to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961.
“Government values its partnership with cooperating partners. However, diplomatic norms must be respected, and official channels must be used when raising concerns,” Haimbe stated.
He reiterated that the Zambian Government is open to engagement but expects diplomatic communication to be carried out with mutual respect and regard for sovereignty.
Struck down on ?? This song has been sung many times over the years and especially before elections
so for me it’s same old same old
TOO LITTLE TO LATE. HOW EXACTLY DO YOU CRACK DOWN ON YOURSELVES? YOU ARE THE SAME PEOPLE STEALING. IS THERE A CURE FOR CLEPTOMANIA?
27 already convicted? Isn’t that a rush job? In our Third World country, it takes about two years to convict Amos Chanda (and another year to unconvict him). What has made the police and Judiciary so well oiled as to score 27 convictions just three days after a muzungu cried for the loss of his country’s tax millions? Correction: Just two and a half days- since LT reported that the ambassador cried on Zambia’s shortest day.
Kleptomania. Dont misdiagnose our well known chronic disease affecting 90 percent of staff in this office”.
Why di6 it take for US ambassador
To tell us what was happening?
Where is our law enforcement Agencies ?
Busy looking for Mwamba and JJ.
These men are still living in the past and are a hindrance to Zambia’s development. I wish they could work as hard for self reliance and problem solving instead of reacting to imperial instructions. They appear to be conditioned with a begging mentality.
Trying to secure the stables after the horses have already bolted!
This could just be a very complicated sinducate. Look also into the sources of your medicines. There could be some links from there too. Recall all the health attaches from the country sources of the medicines and start afresh. Investigate some senior practitioners too, some might be bad eggs in their giving themselves titles of professor. Check them out.
Remember HH once said Zambia has been ruled by a clique of thieves…..it turns he’s also one of the clique of thieves….caught red handed…the government of Angeles…kikikikiki
I have been saying this for a very long time….All Politicians are conmen….and they’re the reason why Zambia will never develop….we need to find a way of getting rid of all these Politicians starting from HH….all all these nonsensical Political Alliances
I agree. Look at them drinking Bottled Water…insinuating Lusaka tap water is unfit for drinking… While millions of people are forced to drink this unhealthy tap water
Stealing seems to be a cultural thing in Zambia for most regions……….
This a generational fight, can never be won over one term in office………
FWD2041
Gonzales is a pot calling the kettle black – Trump is busy torching american systems of centuries, linig his pockets, taking “gifts” from UAE – no one dares call him out; yet ka Gonzo comes out yapping and all applaud! It is not a diplomat’s duty to carpet his host government, Gonzo MUST have reported to the State Department not having a presser loaded with threats. Not even the AU fingers Trump on his Boer Asylum or his threats against RSA’s genocide case against Israel at ICJ…yet here we are falling all-over backwards praising Gonzo, shameful!!! Go check-out the new afrocentricity proudly brewing-up in Traore’s Land of the Upright!
Imagine! Trump will receive a plane worth over $400 million as a gift from Qatar. Clear bribery!! And the US is mute about this bribe. If an African leader were to receive a car from China he would be blacklisted by the West
Crafty Spaka trying to campaign for his tribesmate. Ni one term baba!!
kekekekeke!! kikikikiki! Bwahahahahahaaa!!!
What about Sylvia Masebo who was minister of health and under whom majority of thefts took place has she been arrested?
No. Police are not allowed to arrest UPND members. It is in the laws since 2021. In case you doubt me- get the penal codes and read between the lines.