…we completed investigations against the Saddhus and they were cleared, the file was closed and their payments authorised…
Lusaka-2nd November 2024
Former Director General of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Thom Shamakamba has revealed that there were no pending investigations against Vinod and Uddit Sadhu owners of Sun Pharmaceauticals.
Responding in a matter in the high court, where he has sued University of Zambia law lecturer and former ACC Board member, Dr. Obrien Kaaba, Shamakamba stated that the ACC released the passports of the Sadhus because all investigations were completed and the investigation file closed at both the ACC and the Zambia Police.
He also stated that when the complainant, the Kalengas were asked to appear before the ACC, they failed to do so and failed to bring evidence against the Saddhus.
He also stated that the ACC informed the Attorney General to proceed to process the payments due to Sun Pharmaceuticals as there no legal incumberances.
He said when the matter reaches at trial stage, he will demonstrate that Dr. Kaaba defamed him and spoke without verifiable evidence or information in accusing him that he had released the passports of alleged fugitives.
By correspondent Pranab Rajan
It is widely believed that former Director General Shamakamba was removed from his position due to his investigation into Solicitor General Marshal Muchende, who faced serious allegations of corruption. Contrary to Dr. Kaaba’s statements, Muchende was not an ally of the Anti-Corruption Commission and was summoned for questioning multiple times, particularly regarding an alleged $500,000 he received to purchase a house from the former Liquidator of KCM. Ultimately, Muchende is a significant fund raising asset for the UPND, making him too valuable to dismiss, which is why Shamakamba was let go.
The Director General of ACC must be highly resilient and possess strong instincts to thrive in that role. There are adversaries all around particularly within their own ranks and Tom Shamakamba did not receive the necessary support from State House to succeed fully. I don’t believe President HH can tolerate anyone who is too smart and independent, which is why he tends to choose indivuals he can easily control.
@sam HH has almost entirely surrounded himself with loyalists rather than experienced hands who know their way around government. Shamakamba may have starting thinking for himself when he recorded warn and cautions against ministers etc, causing the rapture. Wonder how the next director general ACC will naviagte this one sided relationship with their appointing authority?!
@Thomas: President Hichilema dissolved the entire board of the Anti-Corruption Commission and coerced the removal of the Director General to protect one man – Marshal Muchende. This raises questions on the reasons for Muchende’s importance. Is it related to his past in the Lands Department when Mr Hichilema was acquiring ranches or his close connection to Chief Mukuni, a key supporter of Hichilema? Regardless, the government is under significant pressure from vested interests, compromising its integrity. The actions spilling out in court directly result from these clashes of factional interests within the UPND government.
@ Thomas, you’re absolutely right! AG Kabesha is seen as passive, while his deputy SG Muchende exercises control over the department like it’s his personal fiefdom. The ACC was closing in on Muchende when chaos erupted. Kaaba was completely misdirected. Shamakamba ended up as collateral damage in this mess.
I don’t like Indians, period. Untacheables. crooks.
Is Kaaba Covering Corruption? An Open Letter to O’Brien Kaaba by Dr Sishuwa Sishuwa
Dear Kaaba, I have just read a statement attributed to you in which you are explaining why you entered a consent judgement with Marshal Muchende, the Solicitor General of the Republic of Zambia, who, according to what you recently told us, is corrupt. As you know, I was among those who had wondered why you consented to the withdrawal of the case in which Marshal had sued you for defamation when, according to what you told us, you had evidence of his corruption. https://x.com/ssishuwa/status/1820739220001976679
I used to think highly of Dr. Kaaba but I eventually realized that he was merely a spineless stooge for other interested parties. What a disappointment he turned out to be! It would be best for him to spend his days quietly in academia and perhaps one day his students will teach him the meaning of genuine conviction.
Kaaba was merely a pawn in the game orchestrated by board chairman Musa Mwenya, who was engaged in covert manoeuvring against President Hichilema. It’s disappointing to see that Kaaba seems to lack independent thought; when the pressure mounted to defend Muchende, he faltered, leaving him with nothing but the remnants of Shamakamba.
You’re right about Musa Mwenya, who is more of a politician. He was also quick to sue UPND MP Heartson Mabeta’s when he claimed Mwenya wanted the High Court to order KCM to pay $33 million to CEC to receive a kickback. Shamakaba is equally entitled to his reputation and can seek legal redress as he has done in this case.
Absolutely! Dr kaaba was a major disappointment. There was a lot of hype but ultimately it just fell flat!
@ Vantage Musa Maenya’s clashes with the then Director General Shamakamba were more than just workplace disagreements; they were emblematic of a deeper, proxy battle against President Hichilema himself. In hindsight, it’s clear he should have stepped down long before things escalated. Instead, Musa lost his moral footing and ultimately paid the price, being dismissed along with his colleague Dr Kabba. It’s an intriguing, if turbulent, chapter in our political narrative!
This sounds eerily similar to the law association of zambia’s ruling dismissing the kalengas complaint against law firm of george kunda. There are a lot of allegations made by them but no evidence to back them up. they sound like lazy arses who want to make quick money.
It’s a common trait among the children of many politicians to feel a sense of entitlement. I recall the sons of Chiluba who came often to my neighborhood and while they were often difficult to be around, I can understand that their entitled upbringing might have warped their perceptions. They seem to expect the system to favor them because of their background, rather than valuing hard work and merit.
The unfolding situation with Sun Pharma reveals individuals connected to GRZ appear to be orchestrating a takeover of the company for illicit financial benefits. Reports indicate that Lewis Mosho and Keith Mweemba are collaborating with AG Chambers to secure clandestine ex parte court orders, directing funds into their own accounts! This is a clear example of white-collar crime intertwined with a complex political narrative.
@ DR I read these insightful articles on the subject. Please share any further material:
https://www.lusakatimes.com/2024/09/02/sun-pharmaceuticals-alleges-misuse-of-authority-in-high-profile-legal-dispute/
https://www.lusakatimes.com/2024/08/28/sun-pharmaceutical-saga/
@ ngulube I have also read reports about how certain law firms have exploited the compensation fund. One notable case involves the previous Director General of Anti-Corruption and now Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Gilbert Phiri, who directed that payments to Sun Pharmaceuticals be placed into an ‘escrow account.’ His law firm partner, Keith Mweemba, then diverted these funds to his Firm’s account using an undisclosed ex parte court order not served on the actual beneficiary, Sun Pharmaceuticals. Home Minister Jack Mwiimbu also played a key role by ensuring that a ‘police restriction’ was lifted in tandem with Keith Mweemba’s diversion of the Sun Pharma funds. This is the scent of organised corruption at the highest levels of government.
@ DrN, unscrupulous law firms serve as ideal conduits for committing financial crimes in today’s world of sophisticated crime. Bernard Kang’ombe is the lawyer representing Daily Revelation in court against former ACC DG Shamakamba. This is the same firm implicated in the secret appointment of the Administrator General of Zambia as the Interim Business Rescue Administrator for Sun Pharmaceuticals. This appointment appears to have been orchestrated to redirect the judgment debt from the Ministry of Justice away from the company and towards the Kalengas, Lewis Mosho, and Keith Mwemba of UPND. Just days before a default judgment could have been obtained, Simza Sangwa intervened, averting the hijack of the company and its receivables.
Kaaba must provide the details of $ 6 million he alleged Shamakamba released to Sun Pharmaceuticals.
The police statements on the Sadhus began after their lawyers in the UK exposed their abduction in Lusaka. Commissioner Mubita Nawa was dispatched by someone very high up in the government to manage the situation, which unravelled when the location of the torture house in Kalundu was revealed through a phone message.
@LUS 1 The police are outraged at the embarrassment they have faced in full view of the global community after the debacle at Interpol. ZPS has rightfully earned a reputation as one of the least professional police services in the world.
When you’re not sure about the facts, silence is the best option. Just watching for now.
The ACC Act includes provisions to address complaints that are filed with malicious intent. If complainants are summoned and do not attend the offices, it may indicate that the complaint was intended to exert pressure on the individual being targeted using government resources. Evidently, the Police under Minister Jack Mwiimbu and IG Musamba appear to have their own agenda in the matter.
Imilandu shimu.