Kapoko goes in 2 years for theft, money laundering

Henry Kapoko

The Lusaka Magistrates’ Court has sentenced former Ministry of Health chief human resources officer Henry Kapoko to two years imprisonment with hard labour after finding him guilty of abuse of authority of office, theft by public servant and money laundering.

Th court, however, acquitted Kapoko’ s co accused, Nobert Peleti, who was the acting director of human resources and administration of theft charges amounting to K586,701.00 due to lack of evidence.

In a seven-hour long judgment delivered by Lusaka High Court deputy registrar Aridah Chulu who sat as a magistrate on Wednesday, Kapoko was convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment on all six counts he was facing which would run concurrently.

Magistrate Chulu said the court was duty bound to protect the nation and the poor from people like Kapoko who did not live within their means.

She said Kapoko’s sentencing would serve as a warning to people who had a habit of siphoning money.

Magistrate Chulu said she had no doubt in her mind that Kapoko abused his authority of office and stole money from the Ministry of Health as huge amounts of money were deposited into his personal accounts after his companies were awarded contracts at the ministry.

She said one of his companies, Kansma Investments, was used to launder money from the ministry.

Magistrate Chulu said Kapoko should not have allowed his companies to participate in the bidding process since he was a public officer.

“There is no doubt that the convict engaged in a business transaction and money acquired from an illegal activity was used to purchase stand number 25 Mandahill Road,” Magistrate Chulu said.

She said Kapoko acted against the provisions of the law which action was prejudicial to the interests of the Zambian government.

“He acted arbitrarily and his actions were prejudicial. He abused his authority and I therefore convict him accordingly,” she said.

In acquitting Peleti, magistrate Chulu said it was evident that Peleti did not benefit from the Ministry of Health money but that Kapoko was the one who facilitated the whole tender process and benefited from it.