Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) notes that the nearly two-month delay by the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA) to act on the questionable consignment of COVID vaccines that were imported into the country could have been partly due to political considerations. This could also explain the behavior of other government entities such as the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) and the Ministry of Health, who have continued to claim ignorance on the matter.
In our view, the discovery that the mysterious cargo, which arrived at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in July 2021 undetected by ZRA and ZAMRA, was linked to a local businessman with close ties to the then Patriotic Front regime may have incapacitated relevant government entities from acting due to fear and uncertainty. Mr. Valden Findlay, is a well-known businessman with close ties to former President Edgar Lungu, who was seeking re-election in the highly contested 12th August 2021 elections. With the election results largely uncertain, ZAMRA may have decided to use delaying tactics in order to measure their response to what must have been a difficult situation for them.
In light of this, TI-Z calls upon the new government to begin the process of actualizing President Hakainde Hichilema’s call for autonomous public entities by appointing an impartial Board of Directors at ZAMRA. ZAMRA is an important state institution which should be allowed to operate freely in executing its mandate in order to safeguard the lives of the Zambian people. Any interference with such an institution has the potential to undermine the country’s response not just to the COVID-19 pandemic, but to whatever health-related challenges that may come our way.
TI-Z further calls upon relevant law enforcement agencies to investigate Mr. Findlay for any illegalities related to this scandal and indeed any other businesses dealings which are questionable. It is our hope that moving forward, there will be no more political protection for politically exposed individuals who engage in illegalities to the detriment and potential harm of the citizens of Zambia.
Sampa J. Kalungu
TI-Z Chapter President
