Maravi

Zambia seeks arrest of DRC governor

Zambia seeks arrest of DRC governor
By Speedwell Mupuchi
Wednesday February 14, 2007 [15:55]

TASK Force on Corruption chairman Maxwell Nkole has said Democratic Republic of Congo's Katanga Region governor Moses Katumbi should avail himself to the Zambian Task Force for interview to finalise his case. In a statement this afternoon, Nkole said the criminal and civil cases against Katumbi were still active. "This is in regard to a series of cases involving properties restricted by the Task Force including MCK dump mining trucks on the Copperbelt, Mansa Milling, Tamba Bashila, etc," Nkole said.

He said the cases were in the High Court where ownership was being contested. He said the Task Force had been conducting criminal investigations pertaining to Katumbi's involvement in the K53 billion maize deal part of which was diverted for his (Katumbi) private use. "Katumbi's involvement lies in the diversion of the amount of K17.2 billion to refinance Tamba Bashila and Chani Fihseries of which he was the owner. Both Tamba Bashila and Chani Fisheries are now restricted by Gazette notice," Nkole explained. He said the Task Force was seeking Katumbi to explain what happened to the funds.

"In addition, the Task Force wishes to interview Mr. Katumbi in respect of the arms deal case popularly known as the B. K. Facility in which the Zambian government lost approximately US$20 million for arms supply contracts which was never honored," Nkole said. He also said Katumbi was also required to explain why he received an amount of US$50,000 from the Zamtrop account on January 3, 1999. Katumbi has been sought by the Zambian government since 2002. He has since been elected governor of the Katanga region in the DRC.

Foreign affairs minister Mundia Sikatana when asked recently about how the Zambian government would deal with Katumbi now that he was governor said: " we don't want to risk our relationship with Congo". Katumbi recently told the media that he would be leading a powerful delegation to the Join Permanent Commission meeting in Zambia and said he would not be arrested by Zambian authorities. He said it was wrong to think that he was not above the law.

Labels: CORRUPTION, DRC, Moses Katumbi

posted by MrK @ 8:43 PM