Lusaka businessman Shadrick Kasanda has been alleged by the Zambia Police Service to have orchestrated the robbery of Egyptian national Adel Michael Botros, resulting in the theft of $5 million in a startling revelation.
The purported incident unfolded at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka on August 13, 2023, with Kasanda allegedly wielding a pistol during the robbery.
Deputy Inspector of the Airport Division, Arnold Kawangu, has outlined these allegations in an Affidavit – In Opposition submitted to the Lusaka High Court. The affidavit forms part of the legal response to Kasanda’s application for habeas corpus, a legal remedy seeking relief from unlawful detention.
Kawangu’s affidavit opposes Kasanda’s plea for habeas corpus, asserting that the businessman’s detention aligns with charges of aggravated robbery linked to the purported theft from the Egyptian national. The police officer has further indicated that Kasanda’s case file has been forwarded to the National Prosecutions Authority for review and potential directives on prosecution.
Lusaka businessman Kasanda’s recent legal move to seek habeas corpus intervention follows his contention of being unjustly detained on charges of aggravated robbery without being promptly presented before a court of law.
The charges stemmed from activities on August 13th, 2023, when eleven individuals, including Egyptian nationals and Zambians, were arrested and charged with espionage under Zambia’s State Security Act. This development followed their alleged involvement in a Gold Scam investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC). .
Among the arrested, a notable figure emerged: Robson Moonga, the Commanding Officer of the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) Police. Moonga, alongside five Zambian nationals—Shadreck Kasanda, Jim Belemu, Patrick Kawanu (a pilot), Oswald Diangamo, and Francis Mateyo—found themselves facing these grave accusations. Additionally, five Egyptian nationals, including one Michael Botros, were part of the group facing these charges.
During the DEC’s operation, a considerable amount of evidence was seized from an aircraft at the airport. This evidence included a staggering 602 pieces of suspected fake gold, collectively weighing 127.2 kilograms.
In addition to the gold, authorities reportedly discovered weapons on board, raising further concerns. The aircraft was also said to be stashed with a substantial sum of five million dollars in cash.
The state opted for a nolle prosequi in favor of five Egyptians and one Zambian implicated in the same alleged syndicate. The Egyptian nationals involved in this matter are Walid Botros, Mounir Awad, Mohamed Gooda, Yasser Abdelghafor, and Michael Botros, alongside Zambian chartered accountant Oswald Diangamo.
Lusaka businessman Shadrick Kasanda, one of the key suspects involved in the airport gold scam, was denied bail in another case where he faced charges related to the disposal of property believed to be proceeds of a crime. The decision to deny bail was handed down by the Lusaka High Court on the grounds that his release from detention could potentially prejudice the ongoing case.
In addition to the denial of bail based on the risk of prejudicing the case, the court also cited Mr. Kasanda’s involvement in an espionage case where the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) issued a Certificate of Denial of Bail.
The verdict to deny bail was delivered by a panel of three High Court Judges: Pixxie Yangailo, Ian Mabbolobbolo, and Vincent Siloka.
Mr. Kasanda had sought bail through his legal representatives, arguing that he was entitled to it because the charges against him in the proceeds of crime case were bailable. However, the state countered this argument by asserting that his bail application for the proceeds of crime matter was invalidated by the Certificate of Denial of Bail issued in connection with his espionage case.
This development added to the legal complications surrounding Mr. Kasanda, who has been embroiled in high-profile cases related to alleged criminal activities, including the notorious airport gold scam.
The unfolding legal battle surrounding Kasanda’s alleged involvement in the high-profile robbery underscores the gravity of the accusations leveled against him. As the legal proceedings advance, stakeholders await further developments to shed light on the intricacies of the case and determine the appropriate course of action.
The police wants Kasanda to be locked up for fear that if Kasanda remains free he might let the cat out of the bag. We know the real looters connected to Community House.
Do you have evidence????,mwila isuka isuka fye, you will join Kansanda.
if Kasanda remains free he might let the cat out of the bag. Cant he let the cat out of the bag even when he is incacerated?
Look at his last name. Look at the name of the person actually arrested for theft. You are just like him in complaining that the person caught stealing should be freed. According to you, everyone steals, and therefore Hakainde steals, and therefore this thief must allowed to go free. We are Tonga bro. We do not steal.
That airport will soon be downgraded. You can’t have people wielding pistols in such a place, but then the gun culture is one of PF legacies.
Kasanda must have thrived under PF I suppose. He looks hardnosed!
Kansanda is a thief,,, anyone supporting him must be investigated.
Kasanda is a thief,,, anyone supporting him must be investigated.
Even his looks and name entails a hard core thief.
What does the name mean?
………
As long as this young man did not hurt anyone………..
If he cut all criminality, could be a big business tycoon……..legally dealing in gold.
Let’s hope he comes out reformed and ready to contribute positively to zambia
Ninshi abo abatonga implicated in the same case they’ve been found not guilty. Friend to the president Belemu was involved but not guilty now because he is a friend to the president and from the same trbe and clan. But muli babi imitima bashetani imwe all six o’clock judges from zambezi provinces . Mwaba ifintu masako . If kasanda was from zambezi region he was not going to be found with a case to answer.
@just askin, don’t you see similarities with Faith Musonda, the crook who wants to be off the hook. See her photo and looks, typical thief.
Everyday different stories until pa last it will either be an acquittal or a nolle.
This boy is just a criminal con man and thief. Only stupid people will support his nonsense. Only under PF was he able to survive coz of the corruption but this time expect him to get 15 years behind bars.