Looking at the latest money laundering allegations made by the Financial Intelligence, it can be easily said that the corruption and illegal practices across Zambia are not yet over. Zambia as a nation is continuously trying to improve. At the same time, there are individuals and groups who are pushing this growth backward with their illegal and unethical practices. As per the reports revealed by FIC, top lawyers and legal counselors in Zambia have been caught laundering money for illegal and unethical activities. The amount of money uncovered till now is a staggering USD 1.5 billion. However, the FIC has suggested that the actual money involved is much more and beyond imagination.
Another name which caught the attention was of Sakwiba Sikota. He is the owner of Central Chambers, a law firm. He is more infamous for his long-term partnership with the Ventriglias. Sikota has been the legal counselor for the Ventriglias for many years and has helped them in escaping law and government scrutiny at numerous occasions. One of them is the case of Portland Cement Zambia against Dr. Rajan Mahtani. Those following the case know for sure that the factory legally belongs to Dr. Mahtani and has been illegally captured by the Ventriglias. Dr. Rajan Mahtani has been fighting this case at the Lusaka High Court for almost 10 years and still has not received any justice.
Thus, it is clear that almost all of the lawyers and other government contractors’ names in this list are guilty, some way or another. While investigation is still going on, the government is facing extreme pressure from citizens as well as corporations and businessmen to take actions against those found guilty of this crime; irrespective of their position or power. It will be a true test for the government of Zambia now and if successful, they will set an example for all those trying to indulge in similar unethical practices in future.