$5m stolen from health ministry
2009-06-03 22:08
Lusaka - A Zambian official pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges linked to the theft of $5m from the health ministry, in a scandal that has already seen foreign aid frozen.
Henry Kapoko, a human resources manager at the ministry, was arrested last week and suspended from his job on allegations that he obtained government funds under false pretences.
His arrest follows a wide investigation into the theft of public funds at the ministry of health. So far police have questioned 24 employees at the ministry, who have been forced to take leave.
Kapoko is charged with fraudulently obtaining about $385 000 between January 22 and February 28.
Prosecutors say he used the funds to import baby nappies through his private company Kahekam, which was given advance payments for the supplies.
On Tuesday, President Rupiah Banda said that he would not shield anybody from the investigations.
The allegations have already prompted the Dutch government to suspend aid to fund health projects in Zambia, one of the world's poorest countries.
Banda said embezzlement from the ministry started two years ago but worsened after the late president Levy Mwanawasa fell ill and subsequently died of a stroke in August last year.
Mwanawasa had spearheaded an anti-corruption drive that has landed former president Frederick Chiluba and top military and cabinet officials in court.
- SAPA