Corruption at its Worst: Zambia’s $13 Million Ambulance Scandal
In a devastating blow to public trust and the fight against corruption, a massive scandal has erupted within Zambia’s healthcare procurement system. The Ministry of Health and Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) awarded a contract worth US$13 million for the delivery of 156 ambulances, but what followed has been a tale of gross mismanagement, fraudulent activity, and blatant theft of taxpayer money.
The deal, which was meant to provide life-saving ambulances for Zambia’s struggling healthcare system, has instead become a prime example of the disastrous consequences of unchecked corruption. Over a year since the contract was signed, only 11 ambulances have allegedly been delivered, none of which meet the required standards. Furthermore, these ambulances were allegedly cobbled together in a makeshift attempt to deceive the public and government officials.
ACE Pharmaceuticals and Aqueous Investments, the two companies responsible for delivering the ambulances, are now facing accusations of using the contract to steal from the Zambian people. Both firms have failed to meet the original delivery deadline of June 2024, and even the revised deadline of December 2024 is now in jeopardy. As of January 2025, there is no sign of any substantial progress, despite repeated assurances.
The Zambian government, which has already paid millions of kwachas as a down payment, is now unlikely to recover the funds due to the alleged bankruptcy of ACE Pharmaceuticals. The company’s owners have already fled the country, leaving behind a trail of financial ruin and a healthcare system that continues to suffer. Meanwhile, the remaining agents of ACE Pharmaceuticals appear to be preparing to follow suit.
The situation grows more disturbing by the day, with reports emerging that the company is attempting to salvage its reputation by bringing in substandard vehicles from Dubai, purchased from police auctions of abandoned cars. These vehicles, which cost less than $10,000 each, are being modified to resemble ambulances, but are far from the state-of-the-art vehicles promised in the contract.
As these fraudulent schemes unfold, the government’s failure to arrest those responsible has raised serious questions about the depth of corruption at play. How is it possible that the individuals behind this massive theft of public funds are still free? Why has no one been held accountable for this clear case of grand corruption?
The Ministry of Health, led by Dr. Elijah Muchima, has threatened to cancel the contract, but this has done little to reassure the public. Despite promises to investigate the matter, no concrete actions have been taken. The government’s hesitance to act swiftly raises suspicions that those involved in the scam may have powerful political connections, shielding them from justice.
Meanwhile, the companies involved, particularly ACE Pharmaceuticals, have been desperately trying to secure loans from banks to cover up their failures and continue their fraudulent operations. However, the banks have wisely refused to lend them any money, recognizing the shady dealings and the risks involved. Yet, despite being rejected by the financial sector, ACE Pharmaceuticals continues to flounder, aided by corrupt officials who appear determined to cover up the crime.
This debacle comes on the heels of several other high-profile corruption scandals, which have only deepened public cynicism toward the government. The public outcry is growing louder as ordinary Zambians struggle to access basic healthcare services, while corrupt officials line their pockets with public funds. How long can this charade continue before the people demand real change?
The Auditor General’s office has promised to audit the ambulance procurement contract, but it remains to be seen whether any meaningful action will be taken. The Zambia Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which recently scrutinized the Auditor General’s report on the matter, expressed shock at the level of incompetence and fraud involved. However, PAC’s calls for accountability have thus far been ignored by the government.
Surjit Shanani, the shadow director of ACE Pharmaceuticals, is said to have used part of the initial payment to build six lavish mansions in the affluent Roma neighborhood of Lusaka. These mansions, filled with imported luxury fittings, stand as a testament to the deepening inequality in Zambia, where those in power enrich themselves while the masses suffer. Shanani, once a mere employee in Lusaka, is now a symbol of the growing corruption that is bleeding the country dry.
The sheer audacity of this scandal is mind-boggling. These companies were contracted to supply essential life-saving equipment to the Zambian people, yet they have exploited the opportunity for personal gain, leaving behind a trail of lies, broken promises, and stolen funds. The government, instead of protecting the public interest, has allowed this crime to unfold unchecked.
As Zambia faces the ongoing devastation of cholera outbreaks and other public health emergencies, the lack of proper ambulances and healthcare infrastructure is felt more than ever. The delay in ambulance delivery has already cost lives, and the continued corruption within the procurement system ensures that more lives will be lost in the future.
This scandal is not just a financial crime; it is a betrayal of the Zambian people. The failure of the Ministry of Health and ZAMMSA to properly oversee and manage public contracts has exposed the dangerous consequences of corruption. The question on everyone’s mind is: when will those responsible finally be held accountable, and how many more lives will be ruined before the government takes meaningful action?
Zambia’s fight against corruption is a battle that can only be won when the public demands justice. The time for complacency has passed; it’s time to hold the thieves and their enablers to account. If we allow this scandal to go unpunished, we risk condemning future generations to a life of broken promises and perpetual injustice.
KUMWESU JAN 7, 2025