Maravi

Sata reveals source of his $100,000

Sata reveals source of his $100,000
By Patson Chilemba
Wed 01 Dec. 2010, 04:04 CAT

MICHAEL Sata yesterday revealed the source of his US $100,000 to the DEC. In an interview soon after he was questioned at the Drug Enforcement Commi-ssion (DEC) offices in the morning, Sata, who is Patriotic Front president, said he had revealed the source of his money and insisted that former president Frederick Chiluba should also disclose the source of his US $8 million in the Zamtrop account.

"We have told them the source, but I can't tell you the source. They will tell you themselves," said Sata, who had earlier promised that he was going to show leadership by revealing the source of his US $100,000.

And reacting to DEC’s earlier statement announcing that they had recorded a statement from him and that it was unfortunate some people had deliberately chosen not to support the fight against money laundering, Sata wondered how the DEC could issue a statement before they talked to him.

He said it was clear the DEC was working under instructions from President Rupiah Banda. Sata denied involvement in any money laundering activities.

"If that statement from DEC public relations manager John Nyawali is correct, can they tell us where did Chiluba get the US $8 million?" Sata asked.

"They wanted to rely on Section 27 of the DEC that 'I am not going to tell them the source'. Now having told them they cannot prosecute."

Sata said he was ready to meet DEC and President Banda in court.

"It was a much cleaner transaction than Rupiah Banda's Kasaba Bay, Zamtel deals. If I was not helpful, I would have taken US $100,000 to Action Auto and nobody would have known anything about it. But I was considerate. That is why I went through the bank," he said.

Sata said the complainant claimed that he Sata gave the US $100,000 to Fr Frank Bwalya to de-campaign the MMD, but DEC did not ask him anything on the matter.

Earlier in the morning, Nyawali stated that they recorded a second statement from Sata in connection with the transaction. He stated that this was followed Sata's failure to answer some questions when he appeared before the investigators last week.

Nyawali stated that politicians should not mislead people by insinuating that DEC was working under instructions to investigate and persecute people perceived not to be in good standing with the government.

He stated that some people had chosen not to support the fight against money laundering and drug trafficking by attempting to frustrate efforts aimed at protecting Zambians from such vices.

Labels: CAMPAIGN FINANCE, DEC, MICHAEL SATA

posted by MrK @ 3:14 PM