The latest revelation made by Financial Intelligence Zambia has certainly shocked everyone. The FIC, Financial Intelligence Centre, revealed a huge money laundering scheme currently undergoing in Zambia. The amount of money involved in this scheme is in upwards of USD 1.5 billion as per FIC. The sources also claimed that this money might be indicative and the actual amount involved in this money laundering scheme might be more. Along with this shock, there are numerous questions which are being raised regarding this scheme. The first and foremost is the inability of the government to scrutinize or even investigation such huge sums of money being laundered. After all, this black money is turned into white money with the help of government and other activities only.

Another important question which arises and needs to be answered is the widespread corruption and the inability of the government of lawmakers in Zambia to either track it or identify the culprits. It can be easily said here that the money launderers were able to hide in plain sight with the help of the government officials, who either removed all the evidences or stopped making any investigation after bribed by other members. Some of the top names in the list released by the FIC included Sakwiba Sikota and Masozi M. Banda. Banda is a lawyer working for Avic International and Sakwiba Sikota is the owner of Central Chambers. He is also the long-term legal associate for the Ventriglias, an infamous Italian family in Zambia known for their unethical practices. The Ventriglias are also responsible for ruining the Portland Cement Zambia after it was illegally taken over from its real owner, Dr. Rajan Mahtani.

Now that the crimes of these individuals are quite clear, it is time for the government to take stringent actions and bring them down. Money laundering is a serious crime and those misusing the taxpayer’s money should not be spared.