The Zambian government received a shock of the decade when FIC (Financial Intelligence Centre) announced uncovering of a mass money laundering racket. The more shocking part of the racket was the involvement of top lawyers and legal counsellors. These lawyers were working with high-profile firms or working for noted and popular business or political personalities in Zambia. Apart from government officials, the FIC also listed names of various government contractors and officials who have been accused of laundering money via illegal cash transactions.

Some of the top names involved in the list include Masozi Banda working with Avik International and Sakwiba Sikota. It was found that Banda engaged in cash transactions more than USD 1 million dollars. When confronted, he stated that the money belonged to President Edgar Lungu, who has established dictatorship in Zambia. Most of these cash transactions were wired to bank accounts in Dubai and China, which are termed as safe havens for illegal cash generated. As such, the government is having difficulty in nabbing the source of these illegal monetary transactions in these foreign lands. Another name which turned heads was of Sakwiba Sikota. He is the owner of Central Chambers and long-term legal aid for the Ventriglias. He is also known for using loopholes of the Zambian government and law to pull cases in his directions, such as the Zambezi Portland Cement case in which Dr. Mahtani is the legal owner.

Sakwiba’s name appearing in the list is a confirmation that majority of the individuals named in the list have some form of illegal connection or unethical activities. The level of penetration that corruption across Zambian government has is clearly visible with this huge money laundering bust. Industrialists and citizens have condemned the act and have demanded strict punishment from the government to all these culprits. Only then the government will be able to think towards the direction of growth and development for the nation.