THE Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested Evaristo Sakala a former Army Secretary at ministry of Defence for corrupt practices involving US$ 400 million in relation to the procurement of the Gulfstream G650 Presidential Jet.
According to ACC public relations officer Timothy Moono, Mr Sakala 53, of Plot No. 11257 Chalala in Lusaka, was charged with one count of willful failure to Comply with Applicable Law and Procedure contrary to Section 34 (2) (b) of the Anti-Corruption Act No.3 Of 2012.
He said details are that between the 1st January, 2017 and 31st July, 2017, Mr 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.
Mr Moono said in this matter, the Commission has so far arrested six individuals and those arrested and charged were 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, others arrested are Director-Finance at Ministry of Green Economy and Environment Esabel Willima Chinji and Former Ministry of Defence Director Human Resources and Administration John Phiri.
Mr. Sakala has since been released on bond and he is expected to appear in court soon.
