Businessman arrested over K80,000 graft
By a Correspondent
THE Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has arrested a Lusaka businessman for corruption amounting to K80,000 in the unlawful acquisition of funds charged as Value Added Tax (VAT).
ACC communications department said it arrested and jointly charged the businessman and a company for corrupt practices involving K80,000.00.
Kopa Muyabala, 54, the director at Lukomi Enterprises Limited was jointly charged with three counts arising from the alleged unlawful acquisition of funds charged as Value Added Tax (VAT).
In count one, it is alleged that between August 1, 2013 and July, 31, 2015, Muyabala, being a director of Lukomi Enterprises Limited and Lukomi Enterprises Limited, a company limited by shares, corruptly acquired public money amounting to K80,000 as VAT during the construction of a perimeter fence at DK Stadium in Chipata.
ACC said this was despite the company not being registered for VAT with the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), contrary to Section 34(1)(a) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012.
“Additionally, in count two, Mr Muyabala, in his capacity as director of Lukomi Enterprises Limited, and Lukomi Enterprises Limited have been jointly charged with failure to apply for VAT registration, contrary to Section 29(a) of the Value Added Tax Act, Chapter 331 of the Laws of Zambia,” the statement said.
The commission said in count three, Muyabala and Lukomi Enterprises Limited were jointly charged with falsely presenting Lukomi Enterprises Limited as a taxable supplier when the company was not registered with ZRA, contrary to Section 29(c) of the Value Added Tax Act, Chapter 331 of the Laws of Zambia.
Muyabala has since been released on bond and is expected to appear in court soon.
