AMBULANCE SCANDAL: HOW A $13 MILLION DEAL BETRAYED THE ZAMBIAN PEOPLE
In what could be one of the most glaring examples of corruption in public procurement, the Zambian government finds itself embroiled in a $13 million scandal involving the supply of ambulances under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). At the heart of this scandal is Ace Pharmaceuticals, a company registered just last year, allegedly controlled by Surjit Shanani, an Indian national who has since fled the country.
The tender, worth K336,173,760 ($13 million), was awarded to Ace Pharmaceuticals under questionable circumstances, with only 11 ambulances delivered out of 156 promised for constituencies across Zambia. The contract stipulated delivery within 20 weeks—a deadline that expired in June 2024. Meanwhile, the absence of the remaining ambulances continues to deprive rural areas of critical medical support.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) recently uncovered troubling irregularities, including the use of selective bidding, a process reserved for emergencies, to award this contract. The Zambia Public Procurement Authority’s (ZPPA) Circular No. 1 of 2023, which reserves CDF-funded contracts for Zambian citizens, was blatantly ignored.
Ace Pharmaceuticals, the company at the center of this scandal, was registered in 2023 and has no proven track record of delivering large-scale projects. Investigations reveal that its shareholders and directors are Shanani’s workers, raising suspicions that the company was a front to secure lucrative government contracts. Despite these concerns, the company has reportedly won multiple contracts with government agencies, including the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZMMSA), through limited bidding processes.
What makes this case more troubling is the alleged involvement of senior government officials in shielding Shanani and other culprits from facing justice. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) reportedly concluded its investigation into the matter but was prevented from making arrests by unnamed ministers and a senior government lawyer.
This scandal not only exposes deep-seated corruption but also undermines public trust in government institutions. The Zambian people are now questioning how such a massive failure could occur without accountability.
The failure to deliver ambulances has dire consequences for rural communities relying on the CDF to fund critical health services. This is not just a financial scandal—it is a betrayal of the Zambian people’s right to quality healthcare and basic infrastructure.
The PAC and civil society are demanding answers. Why was a company with no proven capacity awarded such a significant contract? Who authorized the breach of procurement regulations? And most importantly, why has there been no accountability despite the glaring evidence of wrongdoing?
As calls for justice grow louder, it is imperative that the government acts decisively. This is not just about recovering money; it is about restoring faith in public institutions and ensuring that such scandals never happen again.
The Zambian people deserve better. They deserve transparency, accountability, and leaders who prioritize public welfare over personal gain. Anything less is a betrayal of the nation’s trust.
KUMWESU DEC 2, 2024
AMBULANCE SCANDAL: HOW A $13 MILLION DEAL BETRAYED THE ZAMBIAN PEOPLE
