Maravi

There's no chance of me being arrested, says Mahtani

There's no chance of me being arrested, says Mahtani
By Inonge Noyoo and Laura Mushaukwa
Sunday April 06, 2008 [04:01]

LUSAKA businessman Rajan Mahtani yesterday said there is no chance of him being arrested over the Carlington maize deal involving over US $7.8 million. And Task Force on Corruption chairman Maxwell Nkole said Mahtani, who was a potential witness in the Carlington case, cooperated very well with investigators.

In an interview after a four-hour long interview by Task Force investigators over his involvement in the Carlington deal, Mahtani said he was pleased with the interview because it had given him an opportunity to give his side of the story.

Mahtani denied any involvement or having received any commission in the Carlington maize deal.

On Chance Kabaghe’s statement in court that he (Mahtani) received US $240,000 as commission in the Carlington deal, Mahtani replied that Kabaghe did not fabricate his story in court but he did not have all the facts as to who the agents were.

Asked about former president Frederick Chiluba’s claims that he was involved in the deal, Mahtani said he did not expect any kind words from Chiluba but at the end of the day the truth would always prevail.

And Nkole said Mahtani neither evaded nor avoided any questions.
He also disclosed that FDD president Edith Nawakwi and former Attorney General Bonaventure Mutale were on the list of people to be summoned to the Taskforce.
Nkole said he expected those yet to be interviewed by the Task Force to be co-operative as it was a national duty aimed at recovering money, which the country lost.

“It is important that the Carlington maize deal money is recovered and brought back to benefit the Zambian people in various needy sectors,” Nkole noted. “The case is very complicated and requires international assistance because it spurns three continents making it very difficult on our part.”

Nkole also admitted that the pace of corruption cases had been slow.
“For example, the case of Jacob Zuma in South Africa has taken almost four years and we are just coming from the Zamtrop case where 60 witnesses testified, it’s a big case and we are making follow ups,” said Nkole.

The Task Force on Corruption has been investigating the case of Carlington Sales Company, a Canadian commodity supplier, following an agreement with the Zambian government in 1997/98 to supply maize to Zambia in the extent of US$ 24 million. The government transferred in extent of US$7.8 million towards the contract but not a single bag of maize was ever delivered to Zambia.

Labels: MAIZE, RAJAN MAHTANI

posted by MrK @ 4:55 AM