ACC uncovers a K10 Billion scam

As government in the past weeks faced great criticism over its proposals for setting up mobile hospitals costing US$53,000,000 the country's Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) announced it had unearthed a scam at the Ministry of Health in Lusaka in which more than K10 billion (US$2,000,000) was stolen from the ministry.

The ACC also confiscated K3 billion (US$600,000) worth of property suspected to have been bought from the proceeds of the scam. ACC public relations manager, Timothy Moono said the K10 billion racket was masterminded by a former Ministry of Health official now moved to the Ministry of Local Government and Housing.

“The official has not yet been arrested but investigations have continued,” he said. Moono said the official drew money from the Ministry of Health account and diverted it to personal businesses. Twelve vehicles, among them a Hummer H3 and two Mercedes Benz cars have been seized. Other vehicles seized were two Toyota Lexus, an X5 BMW, a Mitsubishi Challenger, a Ford Ranger, a Mazda Pickup and a 30-tonne Nissan UDI tipper truck.

The ACC has also placed Best Home Lodge in Roma Township and a house in Olympia Park under restriction pending the conclusion of the investigations. Moono, who led journalists to view the lodge May 13, said the vehicles were seized from different people who revealed that they were given the vehicles by the former Ministry of Health official.

The syndicate, which has been going on since 2008, was believed to have involved many people at the Ministry of Health apart from the official in question. Moono said even after the suspect was relocated to another ministry, he continued to influence some members of staff at the Ministry of Health to siphon more money.