By Thomas Ngala
SCANDALS at the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) have landed the agency’s former Director-General Victor Nyasulu and two others in handcuffs.
Nyasulu was arrested on Friday by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) for failing to follow Public Procurement Laws and Procedures in the awarding of contracts to 26 companies, thereby resulting in wasteful expenditure and purchasing of medicines that did not meet the 80 percent threshold of shelf life.
DEC has arrested Nyasulu, 55, Nalishebo Siyandi, 52, the former Director for Supply and Planning and Director-Procurement, Nchimunya Chrispin Habbadu aged 58.
DEC Public Relations Officer Allan Tamba said in a statement yesterday that the arrest “is in connection with the offence of wilful failure to comply with Public Procurement Laws and Procedures or Guidelines in the procurement of medicines and medical supplies at ZAMMSA.
“Particulars of the offence are that; between January 2023 and December 2025, the trio wilfully failed to follow Public Procurement Laws and Procedures in the awarding of contracts to 26 companies; thereby resulting into wasteful expenditure and purchasing of medicines that did not meet the 80 percent threshold of shelf life,” he stated.
Tamba added that the suspects have since been released on police bond; awaiting the commencement of judicial proceedings soon.
“We want to urge professionals entrusted with the responsibility of managing public resources which include significant donor funds to desist from taking advantage of the authority, rights and privileges vested in them and to ensure that they discharge their duties diligently; as by law provided. Furthermore, we call upon all citizens to continue reporting suspicious financial activities to the Commission so that by acting together, we can prevent, detect and combat all forms of crime,” he said.
