A witness in the ongoing corruption trial involving former Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) officials has testified that she engaged in an affair with former ZRA Director of Administration, Calistus Kaoma, from which she received a motor vehicle valued at 35,000 Kwacha.
The witness, Emily Banda, a former temporary employee at ZRA, told the court that Mr. Kaoma gifted her the vehicle from an auction sale for which she did not qualify. She revealed that she was initially given 12,000 Kwacha by Mr. Kaoma as a directive to pay for the vehicle, which she felt compelled to accept.
This testimony is part of a broader case in which Mr. Kaoma and former ZRA Commissioner General, Kingsley Chanda, face charges of willful failure to comply with legal procedures in the disposal of 22 used motor vehicles belonging to the commission, as well as abuse of authority.
In another testimony, ZRA Security Supervisor Emmanuel Moyo recounted receiving instructions on September 18, 2018, to release six vehicles under circumstances that violated ZRA protocols. Mr. Moyo testified that he received a gate pass listing six vehicles under a single name, which was unusual and against the auction sale rules that restricted employees to purchasing only one vehicle each.
The vehicles involved in this irregular release included one Toyota Hilux, four Mitsubishi Pajeros, and one Nissan Navara. Mr. Moyo stated that despite his concerns and escalation of the issue to his supervisor, he was directed to release the vehicles due to Mr. Kaoma’s authoritative position in the department.
The charges against Mr. Chanda and Mr. Kaoma pertain to their alleged misconduct between January 14, 2017, and December 31, 2020, in Lusaka. They are accused of failing to comply with the applicable laws and procedures in the disposal of several vehicles, including Mitsubishi Pajeros, Toyota Hiluxes, and a Toyota Prado, all property of ZRA.
The case continues to unfold, with more testimonies expected in the coming days as the court examines the extent of the alleged corruption and abuse of authority by the former ZRA officials.
Just a tiny tip of a huge iceberg
While we are sweating to save for Tenth-hand vehicles from Japan they are doing deals in our tax-funded offices to smuggle in heavily underpriced 4X4s. Can one trust any Public service worker? Whoever wants to be president in Zambia needs to vow to wipe out corruption otherwise this Presidency job is just an ego-trip.
I hope we’re not going to suddenly get a consent order behind closed doors.
People become consisted in high positions and never learn. There will be no consent order because these are not part of current clique….. not saying they didn’t commit this crime.
UPND governance is ZERO. You cannot take away PF from ZEDIANS’s mouths b/coz they have a yard stick to measure against the disastrous upnd. OHHHH by the way i am no PF before you label me such.
UFIMBENUMA
That’s better reporting by you………
Not that wild stuff with multiple fake accounts…….
Just put your point across
Forwardee 2031……..
Just reading and doing some thinking. But why’s there no cross-examination? It’s what makes the whole story complete. I hope I do not miss it when it’s reported.
Lawlessness. Crimes in Zambia are only uncovered after the fact. Then there is the cavil of delays by the equally dubious legal processes. Awe mwe…
This case requires auditors to go through the case because these chaps are a law on to themselves.
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That’s why these heads of parastatals and those in top management authorise the purchases of vehicles that are in some cases not necessary……….
They do so with an eye on corruptly buying them for themselves and their relatives