Shamenda belatedly reports bribe offer to ACC

Labour Minister Fackson Shamenda has belatedly reported the alleged attempt to bribe him by a former Dangote Industries Zambia limited official to the Anti Corruption Commission.

Mr Shamenda only reported the matter to the Anti Corruption Commission yesterday after coming under heavy criticism for not reporting the matter to the relevant authorities as required by law.

Provisions of Section 39 Subsection 1 of the ACC Act requires a public officer to whom any gratification is currently given, promised or offered to make a full report of the circumstances of the case to an officer of the Anti Corruption Commission or a Police officer within 24-hours of the occurrence of the event .

Mr. Shamenda has disclosed to Qfm news in an interview that his decision to formally report the matter to the ACC follows Dangote Industries Zambia Limited’s dismissal of his allegation that its former human resource manager Bala Zango attempted bribe him in order to persuade him to overlook the critical labour issues at the cement manufacturing company.

Mr. Shamenda has also disclosed that after he was offered the said bribe, he further proceeded to speak to Dangote Industries Zambia Limited lawyers to express his disappointment.

The Labour Minister has since challenged Mr. Zango to come back to Zambia and face him over the allegations.