The Anti-Corruption Commission ACC, has arrested Evaristo Sakala a former Army Secretary at Ministry of Defence for corrupt practices involving US$ 400 million.
This is in relation to the procurement of the Gulfstream G650 Presidential Jet.
In statement ACC, Head- Corporate Communications Timothy Moono said, Sakala 53, of Chalala area in Lusaka, has been charged with one (1) count of Wilful Failure to Comply with Applicable Law and Procedure contrary to the Anti-Corruption Act.
Mr. Moono said that between the 1st January, 2017 and 31st July, 2017, Evaristo Sakala, being the Army Secretary and a member of the Ministerial Procurement Committee for the Ministry of Defence and whilst acting together with others, did wilfully fail to comply with the applicable law and procedure in the manner he approved the award of the tender, relating to the procurement of the Modernization of the defense forces Program.
“Evaristo Sakala, being the Army Secretary and a member of the Ministerial Procurement Committee for the Ministry of Defence and whilst acting together with others, did wilfully fail to comply with the applicable law and procedure in the manner he approved the award of the tender number MOD/MPC/024- 17 relating to the procurement of the Modernisation of the Defence forces Program at a contract price of US$ 400,000,000.00 to Elbit Systems Limited. A matter concerning the Ministry of Defence a public body. Details are that between the 1st January, 2017 and 31st July, 2017, Evaristo Sakala, being the Army Secretary and a member of the Ministerial Procurement Committee for the Ministry of Defence and whilst acting together with others, did wilfully fail to comply with the applicable law and procedure in the manner he approved the award of the tender number MOD/MPC/024- 17 relating to the procurement of the Modernisation of the Defence forces Program at a contract price of US$ 400,000,000.00 to Elbit Systems Limited. A matter concerning the Ministry of Defence a public body,” .
He further revealed that the Commission has so far arrested six (6) individuals which include former Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence Stardy Mwale, former Defence Secretary Rtd. Brigadier General Michael Obister Mbewe and Former Ministry of Defence Director General Medical Services Rtd. Brigadier General Frank Hardy Sinyangwe among others.
Mr. Sakala has since been released on bond and he is expected to appear in court soon.