ACC Arrests Former AG On Honeybee Saga

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FORMER Attorney General Likando Kalaluka has been arrested and charged by the Anti Corruption Commission of conspiring against Government as he, in collaboration with others conspired to defraud Government of over US$17.9 million.

According to a statement released by the ACC chief corporate affairs officer Timothy Moono, Kalaluka, 45, a resident of Lusaka’s State Lodge was arrested for corruption practices involving US$17,958,150.00.

He has been charged with one count of Conspiracy to Defraud the State, contrary to Section 313 of the Penal Code, Cap 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

“Details of the case are that on dates between January 1, 2019 and January 31, 2021, Kalaluka, while acting together with others conspired to defraud government in the manner in which Honeybee Pharmacy, participated in a tender to supply and deliver 50,000 Health Centre Kits and was consequently awarded a contract for supply and delivery of 22, 500 Health Centre Kits valued at US$17,958,150.00.” Moono said.

Last week, the Commission arrested and jointly charged former Minister of Health Dr. Chitalu Chilufya, former Permanent Secretary for Administration at the Ministry of Health and three Honeybee Pharmacy directors for the same offence.

Moono said Kalaluka has been released on Bond and is scheduled to appear before court soon.

Meanwhile, Moono clarified that the commission had only put restrictions on one bank account belonging to Savenda Group of Companies following investigations on corrupt practices.

He further said that Savenda Group of companies has not been shut down or taken over by the ACC.

Moono further said the directors of Savenda have since been informed that they are at liberty to withdraw money from their other accounts, but that it should be backed with supporting documentation.

This follows the announcement by the commission that it’s conducting investigations against Savenda Group of Companies director and chief executive officer Clever Mpoha.

Mpoha was in August this year arrested by the Commission and charged with the offence of Corrupt Practices by Private Persons in connection with a contract for the supply and delivery of military uniforms for the Zambia National Service.

Prior to the above incident, the Commission seized Simoonga Farms in Chikankata District which was purchased by Sturdy Mwale, Former Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence using money paid on his behalf by Mposha.

He revealed that among the Savenda Group of Companies, the Commission had been investigating Savenda Systems Limited for multiple corruption offences.

“[And] in the the course of investigations, the Commission issued a Restriction Notice on one of the accounts for Savenda Systems Limited after an attempt was made by Mpoha to withdraw the entire sum of US$3,474,150.00 which was sitting in its account,” of which Moono said was he restriction was done pursuant to the Anti-Corruption Act. No. 3 of 2012, Section 61 (1).

Kalemba