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The Lusaka Subordinate Court has convicted and sentenced Mukanta Shapi, Head of Department–Customs at Mwaka Freight Cargo, to two (2) years’ simple imprisonment for offering a K70,000 bribe to an officer.
Shapi offered the bribe to officer from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) to facilitate the release of two trucks that had been impounded by the department, according to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
Passing judgment, Justice Sylvia Munyinya, siting as Chief Resident Magistrate in the Lusaka Subordinate Court of the First Class, sentenced Shapi to 2 years’ simple imprisonment on one count of Corrupt Practices with a Public Officer.
“The sentence was effective from September 3, 2026, the date of judgment,” reads the statement issued in Lusaka on Friday by the ACC.
Shapi was arrested by the ACC in November 2024 and charged with one (1) count of Corrupt Practices with a Public Officer, contrary to Section 19(2), as read with Section 41, of the Anti-Corruption Act, Chapter 91 of the Laws of Zambia.
Investigations established that between November 1, 2024 and November 30, 2024, in Lusaka District, Shapi, jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown, corruptly offered K70,000.
Shapi gave K40,000 in cash to Bright Nkhoma, a Wildlife Ranger at the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, as an inducement or reward for him to facilitate the release of two impounded trucks.
“The trucks, belonging to AMS Logistics, comprised two horse-and-trailer units laden with timber,” said ACC Head of Corporate Communications Joseph Mwenya.
He said thee first consisted of a horse bearing registration number AJD 2463 and a trailer bearing registration number ALE 5806T, while the second consisted of a horse bearing registration number ADM 8399 and a trailer bearing registration number AAX 3080T.
Mwenya said the matter concerned the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, a public body.
“The Anti-Corruption Commission wishes to warn members of the public that this conviction should serve as a strong deterrent to would-be offenders, particularly those who engage in offering bribes to public officers,” he warned.
Mwenya said the conviction demonstrates that acts of corruption, in all their forms, have serious consequences and that those who engage in corrupt practices will be held accountable.
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