GOLD SCANDAL UPDATE: $1.3MILLION WAS STOLEN

GOLD SCANDAL UPDATE; $1.3MILLION WAS STOLEN

Lusaka-13th February 2024

Evidence has emerged that $1.3million was stolen from the money seized at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) during the operation of the gold scandal.

On 13th August 2023, the Drug Enforcement commission (DEC) declared that it had found about $5.7m in cash, five pistols, 126 rounds of ammunition and 602 suspected gold bars weighing 127kg (280lbs) on a plane during a search on August 13, 2023.

A foreign aircraft with registration number T7 WSS Global Express jet landed at KKIA from Cairo, Egypt.

The aircraft was conveying Mr Michael Adel Michel Botros, an Egyptian national and renowned international businessman, for a gold business transaction in Lusaka.

But a video has emerged that shows that of the $7million that Boutros came with, only $5.7million was declared by DEC Director General, Nason Banda, less than $1.3million.

And Minister of Home Affairs and Interior Security, Jack Mwiimbu presented the following report;

“Madam Speaker, for the matter at hand, let me present the brief facts.”

“On 13th August, 2023, a
foreign aircraft with registration number T7 WSS Global Express jet landed at KKIA from Cairo, Egypt.”

“The aircraft was conveying Mr Michael Adel Michel Botros, an Egyptian national and renowned international businessman, for a business transaction at the instigation of a named local Zambian businessman and another foreign business partner.”

“In particular, Mr Botros was scheduled to purchase gold for which he made a down payment to cater for, among other things, transshipment and customs clearance of the purported gold.”

Following a tip-off, the law enforcement agencies impounded the aircraft in question and searched it.

After the search, the following items were found and seized from the aircraft:

(a) US$5,697,700;

(b)602 bars of purported gold weighing about 127.28 kg:
(c)four bars of gold, weighing 1,414.17 g, authenticated by the relevant authorities;

(d) five pistols and eleven pistol magazines;

(e)126 rounds of ammunition; and one drilling machine.

“Madam Speaker, based on the findings, law enforcement agencies decided to charge five Egyptians and six Zambians with espionage on the premise that they accessed the air-side, which is a restricted area, for purposes that were prejudicial to safety and interest of the Republic of Zambia, contrary to Section 3 (a) of the State Security Act, Cap. 111 of the Laws of Zambia. On the other hand, the four crew members of the Global Express jet were cleared and released from custody and have returned to their different countries.”

“On Friday, 1st September, 2023, the state entered a nolle prosequi in respect of the five Egyptians and one Zambian national, while the rest were committed to the High Court.”

The locals arrested included; Robson Moonga, the Commanding Officer of the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) Police Station, Shadreck Kasanda, Mahogany Airline CEO, Jim Belemu, Patrick Kawanu (a pilot), Oswald Diangamo, and Francis Mateyo. Additionally, five Egyptian nationals, including one Michael Botros, were part of the group facing these charges.

Attached here is the video.