Zambia's Anti-corruption
Commission has arrested a former Health minister Chitalu Chilufya and four
others for an alleged corrupt deal worth nearly $18 million.
Chilufya allegedly defrauded
the government in a deal to buy health kits worth nearly $18 million. He was
arrested and charged Wednesday along with four others — the ministry's former
permanent secretary and three directors of the Honey Bee Pharmacy company.
They denied the charges and
were released on bond until the case goes to court. Chilufya was arrested for
alleged corruption in 2020. The charges of purchasing shares and property with
proceeds of crime, which he denied, were later dropped.
Separately, Zambia's Drug
Enforcement Commission (DEC) on Wednesday detained opposition politician Kelvin
Fube Bwalya for failing to report a suspicious transaction. He also denied the
charge. Wednesday's arrests are the latest in a Zambian government campaign to
crack down on corruption. Critics say the campaign is being used to target and
intimidate political opponents.
Numerous officials who served
under former President Edgar Lungu have been arrested and his family has been
questioned. In July, Zambia's anti-money laundering agency questioned former
first lady Esther Lungu over her ownership of 15 luxury apartments, but no
arrest was made.
Current President Hakainde
Hichilema has denied allegations that his fight against corruption is targeting
opponents. Hichilema defeated Lungu in the August 2021 election, in part
because of his promises to crack down on fraud and government waste. So far,
there have been many charges and investigations in the anti-corruption
campaign, but few convictions.
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