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A total of 56 individuals have been arrested on various charges, including theft of medicines and medical supplies, theft by public servant, and possession of suspected stolen property, security agencies have confirmed.
The arrests follow a forensic audit by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), commissioned by the government and handed over to the recently constituted multi-agency Task Force.
Speaking at a media briefing on Thursday at the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) headquarters in Lusaka, ACC Director General Daphne Chabu said the audit uncovered a catalogue of irregularities and red flags across the medical supply chain.
“Despite the audit being underway, the Task Force pressed ahead. Raids were conducted in all 10 provinces, targeting pharmacies suspected of stocking stolen drugs,” she said.
Chabu announced that 206 pharmacies had been raided recently and 30 cases were currently before the courts, with 26 more under active investigations.
“The Government, in consultation with key stakeholders, engaged PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to conduct an in-depth forensic audit of ZAMMSA’s procurement and supply chain systems,” she said.
Chabu said the findings in the audit point to serious breaches and systemic failure at multiple levels.
She stated that the Task Force was focusing on, among others issues, the unrecorded and unaccounted-for receipts, missing stock movements, and losses and pilferage in transit.
“Questionable inventory adjustments, conflicts of interest involving senior ZAMMSA officials and, dubious emergency procurements during the cholera outbreak,” Chabu said.
In addition, the procurement breaches identified in the report were under scrutiny such as the inaccurate and manipulated needs assessments, procurement outside the Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) System and suspiciously shortened tender periods.
Others are the waivers on marketing authorization granted without basis, contracts awarded in excess of approved amounts, use of unregistered and unqualified suppliers, inflated prices and dumping of near-expiry stock.
She warned that no position of influence, no connection, and no cover would protect those who have stolen from the sick and betrayed public trust.
“Investigations are advancing rapidly, and we are at the brink of concluding several cases. We expect to bring more suspects to justice in the coming weeks,” Chabu said.
She assured that the law enforcement agencies remained unwavering, professional, and resolute.
“Our mission is to pursue evidence meticulously, build watertight cases, and ensure that all offenders – whether in public service or the private sector—face the full force of the law. We shall leave no stone unturned,” Chabu said.
She appealed to members of the public to remain calm but vigilant because the wheels of justice were turning, and impunity would not stand.
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