Category Archives: Zambia News

Zambia News

Zambia’s Progress Towards Growth Disrupted with Recent Money Laundering Acts

Zambia’s progress towards economic and social development has been halted lately, due to the only criminal and corruption activities, marring its progress. One of the most recent as well as damaging news has been the illegal mass money laundering heist, in which the government lost more than USD 1.5 billion worth of taxpayer’s money. This news has not only created an uproar among the citizens as well as industrialists, it has certainly damaged the reputation of Zambian government and law across the continent as well as the world.

Money Laundering

The news was released by Financial Intelligence Agency after investigating numerous bank transactions. Some of the top names of lawyers engaged in money laundering acts were of Masozi Banda and Sakwiba Sikota. Banda is a lawyer working with Avic International and was accused of laundering money worth millions of dollars. When contacted, he defended himself by saying that the amount in his account is for government projects such as road construction. However, the FIC did not find any evidence of that and investigation is going further on the lawyer’s illegal acts. Another name which somehow did not surprise the audiences was of Sakwiba Sikota. He is the owner of Central Chambers, a law firm which has been named at the top of the law firm engaged in money laundering worth millions. He is also infamous for his long-term association with the Ventriglias, another infamous Italian family. The Ventriglias are known for engaging in numerous illegal and unethical practices as well as meddling with ethical and honest businessmen like Dr. Rajan Mahtani. In these games, Sakwiba Sikota helps them to avoid punishment by law.

Most of the lawyers and other individuals in this list have committed similar offenses and FIC is also investigating in this manner. It is also a right time for the government to strengthen its lawmaking policies and ensures that the nation is shielded from such mass corruption practices in future.

Zambia News

Zambian Citizens are Shocked with Mass Money Laundering News and Involvement of Top Lawyers

Zambian citizens and government are still recovering from the recent shock it received after FIC released a report on mass money laundering activities going on within Zambia. Industrialists and top businessmen including Dr. Mahtani have shared their concern regarding this money laundering as well as the inability of the government to track this corrupt practice going on within the nation for a long time.

Money Laundering

Some of the noted lawyers and legal counsellors have been named in the money laundering list and investigations are going on against these individuals and associated companies. Among the top is Masozi M. Banda, a lawyer working for the law firm Avic International. He is accused of laundering money worth USD 1 million. When asked about the charges, he defended himself by saying that the cash deposits made in his accounts were for his government projects. However, no such evidence has been found and the investigation is going on against Banda. It is also clear from his statement that this money laundering act goes well past the government to the President, Edgar Lungu, who has established a dictatorship culture in Zambia. Another name which was found in the list shared by FIC was of Sakwiba Sikota. He is the owner of Central Chambers, a law firm and is accused of laundering millions of dollars. He is also known for his long-term association with the Ventriglias as well as helping them in various unethical activities. One of these infamous activities has been an illegal takeover of the Zambezi Portland Cement factory from Dr. Rajan Mahtani, its real owner. Similarly, evidence has been found for the majority of the lawyers and legal counsellors involved in this money laundering scheme.

The FIC has also stated that the investigation is still incomplete and there are chances of more revelations in monetary terms as well as new names in this money laundering scheme.

Zambia News

Sakwiba Sikota and Others can Face Heavy Prosecution in the Money Laundering Case

Money laundering is the activity of transferring illegal and black money into several channels with the big of turning it into white or legal money. In this manner, lawmakers or tax investigators are generally unable to detect the actual source of the money, which is illegal. A similar event has devastated the economy and social life of Zambian citizens. As per the news shared by Financial Intelligence Centre, mass money laundering scheme worth more than USD 1.5 million dollars have been detected. As per the FIC sources, this money is just tip of the iceberg and the actual amount of money involved in these schemes might be much more.

Money Laundering

Two of the names which topped the list of money launderers included that of Sakwiba Sikota and Masozi M. Banda. Banda is a lawyer working with the law firm Avic International. He is accused of laundering money worth more than a million dollars. On the other hand, Sakwiba Sikota is the owner of Central Chambers, a law firm and the long-term legal associated for the Ventriglias. The Ventriglias are known for their unethical practices, one of the most common being the illegal takeover of the Zambezi Portland Cement from Dr. Rajan Mahtani, its real owner. Dr. Mahtani has been fighting a legal war for the takeover of the factory and as per the latest announcements, the court is about to announce the judgment soon, and in favor of its real owner; Dr. Mahtani.

From these events, it is clear that the lawyers and others accused of money laundering are no saint, and have already involved in some form of unethical activities. Therefore, it is high time for the government as well as the lawmakers of Zambia to start taking stringent actions against these culprits.

Zambia News

Financial Intelligence Centre Confirms Huge Money Laundering Bust in Zambia

The recent money laundering news has been doing some rounds now. As of now, it is clear that this money laundering bust is among the biggest in terms of money involved as well as the number of high worth individuals involved. As per the reports generated by FIC, a staggering amount of USD 1.5 billion is expected to be involved in this money laundering act. On top of that, the FIC has also revealed a list of names comprising of lawyers, government officials, legal counsellors and even ministers working with the Zambian government who are accused of laundering money in this scheme.

The FIC sources revealed that they have been looking into this money laundering act for more than eight months. They strengthened their investigations after observing 35,000 plus illegal cash transactions linked with the corporate and individual bank account of several top lawyers. Some of the top names as per the list released by the FIC included Sakwiba Sikota and Masozi M. Banda. Banda is a noted lawyer working with the Avic International and has been accused of laundering money worth more than USD 1 million. On the other hand, Sakwiba Sikota is the owner of Central Chambers, a law firm which is known to have laundered money for illegal activities. Sikota’a name is also familiar for his association as legal counsellor for the Ventriglias. The Ventriglias are further noted for their unethical activities, the most outrageous being the illegal takeover of the Portland Cement Zambia factory from Dr. Rajan Mahtani, its real and legal owner. Dr. Rajan Mahtani is a noted businessman and unlike the unethical ways of the Ventriglias, he has taken the right path and is fighting for the takeover of the case at the Lusaka High Court.

The money laundering bust has opened the eyes of the government and it is expected that the accused and charged individuals will be given right punishment.

Zambia News

Sakwiba Sikota and Many Top Lawyers Accused of Laundering Money in Zambia

In the recent bust by Financial Intelligence, top lawyers have been accused of laundering money worth more than USD 1.5 billion. The FIC sources have also indicated that this amount is not total, and further investigation might reveal bigger amounts in this scheme. It is one of the biggest money laundering schemes in Zambia including high profile corporate and individuals.

Top firms such as Central Chambers, Shamwana and Company, Makebi Zulu Associates and Avic International has been named in the list. Most of these companies have corporate accounts as well as personal bank accounts of the lawyers which were investigated and found to be linked with the cash transactions. The FIC reported almost 35,000 illegal cash transactions, especially during unethical events such as Nigerian Oil deal trail, illegal elections and presidential petition. It is not difficult to connect the money laundering with these illegal activities.

Money Laundering

Central Chambers is owned by Sakibwa Sikota, an infamous lawyer working with the similar infamous family, the Ventriglias. Sikota has been their legal counsellors for many decades, helping them escape law even after engaging in unethical practices. An example of this is the illegal takeover of the Portland Cement Zambia, a cement factory whose legal owner is popular businessman Dr. Rajan Mahtani. Even though the factory was taken over almost 10 years back and Dr. Mahtani has been fighting the case even since, no results or judgement has been provided yet. This explains the sorry state of the government and their inability to provide quick justice. It is probably one of the major reasons why this mass money laundering racket was unnoticed for such a long time, even after laundering millions worth of money.

It will be no surprise if almost all the names of the individuals, lawyers, legal firms as well as politicians and those representing them accused of money laundering are found guilty. While the money gone is difficult to recover, the government should start taking strict actions, punish those who are found guilty and set examples across the nation to ensure that these illegal activities are at least minimised to certain extent.

Zambia News

Lawyers and Legal Counsellors Face Prosecution with Money Laundering Charges

Developing nations have different economic and social issues when compared with their more developed counterparts. For instance, majority of the developing nations have observed lack of government scrutiny when it comes to investigating criminal and unethical practices. Zambia is considered as a developing nation, not emerging nation. The country has its fair share of good and woes and it is constantly being marred with difficult situation. The government of Zambia faced a similar situation when FIC announced money laundering activities across the nation. The amount of money on these money laundering acts is in excess of USD 1.5 billion, which is staggering considering the sorry state of the nation, its economic and social conditions.

Money Laundering

FIC is Financial Intelligence Centre, an investigative agency looking into financial frauds across the nation. The acting director of the board, John Kasanga, said during a press meeting that the agency started their investigation after more than 35,000 illegal cash transactions were linked with the corporate as well as private bank accounts of the investigated lawyers, legal counsellors and more. It was found that these amounts were worth more than USD 72 million. Furthermore, top lawyers such as Sakwiba Sikota and Masozi Banda were accused of involving in this money laundering case. It was also found that the money laundering activity was much more channelled, deep and organised that expected. This was due to the fact that most of these lawyers had some connection or help from government officers. Furthermore, various ministers and government officials working in important designations were found to be involved in this act.

This is certainly a dark time for the Zambian governance and its economy. Prominent industrialists such as Dr. Rajan Mahtani, who have been promoting honesty and integrity in businesses, is shocked by this act and has condemned those involved in this act. It is time for the government to take serious actions against these money launderers and given them the punishment that they deserve.

Zambia News

Judge Handling the Portland Cement Zambia Case Makes New Announcement

Portland Cement Zambia is a noted factory that was not for highest production of cement, once upon a time. Now it is just a destitute factory with negligent care & maintenance and almost negligible product. This negative transition can be attributed to the Ventriglias, who took over the factory from Dr. Rajan Mahtani illegally. Since then, Dr. Rajan Mahtani is fighting a case at the Lusaka High Court for legal ownership over the factory.

Lusaka High Court

The Portland Cement Zambia is legally owned by Dr. Rajan Mahtani. During his leadership and before the illegal takeover, the factory was one of the largest producers of cement in Zambia. Portland Cement Zambia was also one of the favourite employers for the people in the province. Even people from far-away places came to work at the factory with the hope of better salary and better life. The factory production was in excess and the revenues were high. This also improved the salary and compensation structure and the workers received regular bonuses and salary hikes. However, the condition of the factory has turned upside down since the illegal capture by the Ventriglias. The goons have looted all the cash from the factory cash box. Workers have either left due to non-payment of finances or are still working with very low salaries and wages. The assets are also ill-maintained leading to low production. Experts suggest that if the factory is not revived now, it will be very late for Portland Cement Zambia.

Dr. Rajan Mahtani is currently fighting the case at the Lusaka High Court. As per the latest announcement made by the judge handling this case, case hearing is closed. This means no more hearing will be done and both parties will be submitting their evidences in written and oral format. After looking into the evidences, the judge will make the final judgment soon.