FORMER Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) director of administration, Calistus Kaoma, has denied allegations of gifting a motor vehicle to an employee with whom he allegedly had an affair.
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The claims surfaced during a Lusaka Magistrates’ Court hearing where Kaoma stands jointly accused of corruption.
Kaoma, appearing before acting chief resident magistrate Sylvia Munyinya, dismissed as “a lie” the testimony of Elina Banda, a former temporal ZRA employee.
Banda claimed she received a K35,000 vehicle from an auction, a benefit she reportedly did not qualify for, facilitated by Kaoma.
She testified to a conversation in his office regarding vehicle disposals, where he allegedly promised her a car and later provided K12,000 as a directive towards its payment.
“I never bought Banda a vehicle and never given her K12,000. I have never been to her home contrary to the testimony she submitted that I went to her house,” Kaoma asserted in his defense,
“I also never drove a vehicle to her house in 2017. I wish to deny the allegations.”
Kaoma painted Banda as merely a colleague, insisting their relationship was purely based on work.
He further denied being a member of the asset disposal committee at ZRA or purchasing or disposing of any used motor vehicles during his tenure.
Kaoma is jointly charged with ex ZRA commissioner general Kingsley Chanda.
The two are accused of willful failure to comply with procedure relating to the disposal of 22 used motor vehicles belonging to the commission and abuse of authority.
The charges, spanning from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2020, allege that Chanda and Kaoma unlawfully disposed of various ZRA vehicles, including Mitsubishi Pajeros, Nissan Hardbodies, Nissan Tiidas, Toyota Corollas, Nissan Microbuses, Toyota Hiluxes, and Toyota Prados.
Both accused individuals have pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The matter has been adjourned to July 14, 2025, for continued defense, leaving the court to deliberate on the truth.
By Lucy Phiri
Kalemba July 3, 2025