Transparency International Zambia executive director Goodwell Lungu is shocked by the acquittal of former Ministry of Health Human resources officer Henry Kapoko and others of corruption charges.
The Kapoko corruption case was a big scandal that implicated former permanent secretary Dr Simon Miti who was recently designated a government position by President Sata until a public outcry forced him to cancel it.
Kapoko, who was represented by one of the country’s most discredited lawyers Kelvin Fube Bwalya – a top PF official – was acquitted of corrupt activities despite glaring evidence against him.
Lungu said the development raised a lot of questions and casts doubt on the PF government’s commitment to fighting corruption.
He advised government to seriously consider appealing the judgement to a higher court.
Lungu said TIZ is of the view that investigation officers did a good job on the case but wondered how the Magistrate Court acquitted Kapoko and others.
Kapoko and eight others were set free in theft charges relating to a contract awarded to Kahekam Limited for the supply of extra 50,000 of Mother-Baby-Kits (MBK).
Magistrate Kenneth Mulife said having considered all the evidence in count four in the case, he was not satisfied that the prosecution had proved its allegations beyond reasonable doubt.
Kapoko was charged with theft by public servant in 2009 and had further been slapped with a charge in relation to the K10 billion ministry of health corruption scam.