Andeleki demands swift action on ZAMMSA Corruption Audit

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Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs, Human Rights and Governance, Clement Andeleki, has urged law enforcement agencies to promptly arrest and prosecute all individuals implicated in the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) forensic audit exposing corruption at the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA).

Dr. Andeleki has warned that delays in prosecuting corruption cases, some of which have dragged on for over a decade, risk eroding public confidence in the justice system.

Describing corruption as economic sabotage, Dr. Andeleki said the practice undermines Zambia’s efforts to reclaim its middle-income status by 2030.

He has stressed that only stronger laws, timely prosecution, and unwavering political will can end impunity and ensure public resources benefit ordinary citizens especially those in rural constituencies like his own.

The Katombola lawmaker, who is also a senior member of the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND), has welcomed the audit findings, calling the report a critical step in exposing entrenched corruption that has compromised service delivery and endangered lives.

Dr. Andeleki has commended President Hakainde Hichilema for commissioning the audit and engaging independent foreign auditors, noting that past audits conducted by local institutions had often resulted in collusion with suspects.

“We thank the President for bringing in independent forensic auditors. The report clearly shows the Ministry of Health is in crisis. This is not new corruption there goes back to the days of Henry Kapoko and other officials from the Ministry of Health,” Dr. Andeleki said.

Among the most disturbing revelations, he noted, was the discovery of 64 containers of medical supplies hidden in a warehouse in Makeni, evidence, he said, of the scale and depth of criminal syndicates operating within the ministry.

To deter future abuse, Dr. Andeleki has proposed mandatory sentences of 20 to 25 years for anyone convicted of stealing public funds or medical supplies, arguing that the current provisions under the Anti-Corruption Commission Act No. 3 of 2012 were too lenient.

“Imagine someone steals US$10 million and gets only five years in prison. That’s not deterrence; it encourages crime,” he said, referencing the People vs. Katele Kalumba case.

He has further cited past misuse of Eurobond proceeds, which were intended to recapitalize Zambia Railways and expand telecom towers to rural areas but were instead diverted by corrupt officials.

“People were flying to the U.S. with five plane-loads of cadres using taxpayers’ money. Today, people in rural areas still climb trees looking for network,” he lamented.

“Anyone who steals even K100 from government coffers must face serious consequences. Public officers are trustees, not owners of that money,” he said.

“If corruption continues, we will remain stuck, climbing trees for network while criminals enrich themselves,” Dr. Andeleki stated.

Ends…………………………..

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