Kapoko judgment on after 9 year trial
By NATION REPORTER FORMER chief human Ministry resources of Health development officer Henry Kapoko and nine others are today expected to know their fate after undergoing trial for nine years on corruption charges. Kapoko and his co-accused, all Ministry of Health officials, were found with a case to answer by Principal Resident Magistrate Exornobit Zulu in April 2016 for 66 counts of corruption, money laundering, and theft of more than K6 million from the ministry.
Other accused persons are Zukas Kaoma, Evaristo Mwaba, Roy Maswenyebo, Luke Makeche, Vincent Luhana, Chrispine Sichone, Norbert Peleti, Justin Phiri, and Esau Banda.
The charges included 20 counts of theft and theft by public servant involving more than K6.8 million, 46 counts of money laundering involving 24 motor vehicles, three houses, two lodges, one filling station, five bank accounts, and the purchase of building materials.
They were also charged with one count of failing to account for being in possession of property suspected to have been stolen or unlawfully obtained.
The accused persons were arrested in 2009 by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) following exposure of a scandal involving corruption, theft, and money laundering at the Ministry of Health headquarters.
Kapoko has already been convicted on one count of abuse of authority of office and one count of corrupt practices by public officer in a related matter. He is represented by Lusaka lawyer Kelvin Bwalya Fube.
He has been in custody since last December after the court revoked his bail for tampering with evidence.
Before revocation of his bail, Kapoko told the court that he was not fit to proceed with the bail revocation hearing as he was unwell, and questioned what he had done for the State to start questioning him despite his poor health status.
He later admitted tampering with a house and land valued at K1.2 million. Kapoko said it was an act of foolishness on his part as he had created another problem in trying to safeguard his interests.
He told the court that he obtained a loan using the house, in which he lived, as collateral despite questions surrounding its ownership in the matter.
Kapoko said his money lender tried to change the house’s ownership at the Ministry of Lands without his knowledge.
“What I did was foolish on my part. Since I had the title deed, I had pressure that I had to sort out, bills relating to properties before you. The only way I could settle the bill was to borrow since I have no stable income. I am at your mercy,” Kapoko said.
Kapoko also admitted tampering with the land in Roma residential area in Lusaka.
In revoking the bail, Mr. Zulu said he did not know any cure for Kapoko’s actions.
He noted that there was no guarantee that if bail was not revoked, Kapoko would not interfere with exhibits and evidence.