Kelvin Sampa Arrested for Fraud.
Former Kasama Central Member of Parliament, Kelvin Mutale Sampa, has been arrested by the Zambia Police for obtaining money by false pretenses, despite his recent appointment to President Hakainde Hichilema’s Presidential Campaign Team, raising questions about the impact of his legal troubles on the ongoing political campaign.
According to a statement released by Zambia Police Public Relations Officer Rae Hamoonga, Sampa, aged 52, of Plot 345, Meanwood Ibex Hill in Lusaka, is alleged to have fraudulently obtained USD 70,000 from Japanese nationals Mr. Kunihiro Fugishima and Ms. Yukie Nakamina, both associated with Nakamishi Company. The complaint states that Sampa, between July and September 2024, promised to supply refined gold sourced from Zambia but failed to deliver on the agreement, leading the victims to file a complaint with the authorities.
The victims had reportedly engaged in negotiations with Sampa and his associates, believing the deal to be legitimate. However, when the promised gold shipment never materialized, they sought legal recourse, prompting a police investigation. Following the investigation, which gathered evidence of the alleged fraud, Sampa was arrested and charged with obtaining money by false pretenses, a crime punishable under Section 309 of Zambia’s Penal Code.
Sampa has since been released on police bond, pending his court appearance, where he will face formal charges.
Sampa’s arrest comes at a crucial time in his political career, as he had recently been appointed to President Hakainde Hichilema’s Presidential Campaign Team. The appointment was seen as part of an effort to consolidate support across different political factions ahead of the next general elections. Sampa, who previously served as Kasama Central Member of Parliament under the Patriotic Front (PF), is a well-known political figure, and his inclusion in the campaign team was expected to bolster the president’s re-election efforts by attracting votes from Northern Zambia, where he has significant influence.
The arrest, however, casts a shadow over his political future and could prove to be a liability for the campaign. The ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) has not yet issued an official statement on Sampa’s legal troubles or whether his role in the campaign will be affected by the ongoing criminal proceedings.
The charge of obtaining money by false pretenses is a serious offence according to the laws of Zambia. If convicted, Sampa could face a lengthy prison sentence, as well as hefty fines. Section 309 of the Penal Code Act, Chapter 87, under which Sampa has been charged, deals with financial crimes involving deception, where a person deliberately misleads others for personal gain. The police have emphasized the importance of due diligence in business transactions, particularly when dealing with unfamiliar individuals or companies.
Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga reiterated the Zambia Police Service’s commitment to fighting fraud and financial crimes, urging the public to be cautious and report any suspicious dealings. He assured that thorough investigations would continue to ensure justice is served.
Kumwesu October 14, 2024.
This guy is a proper conman with a lot of cases including the one he is seen in a video brandishing a pistol threatening villagers over land. It would do well for upnd to get rid of this bad egg from their ranks who only joined them because he wanted protection over his cases.
Any wonder he rushed to join UPND hoping to hide his skeletons from exposure. These are the characters who mess political parties with their filth. UPND must get rid of him ASAP before it suffers reputational damage.