By CHARITY MOONGA?-
LABOUR and Social Security Minister Fackson Shamenda has reported the?case in which a Dangote Industries Zambia (DIZ) official allegedly?attempted to bribe him to law-enforcement officers.
Mr Shamenda, who maintained that he was offered a bribe by Dangote?official, Bala Zango, said in an interview yesterday that he had just?reported the case to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) who would?handle it henceforth.
The minister said those who were not there at the meeting he had with?Mr Zango should stay away from the issue.
“There was somebody who was offered a bribe, and another who offered?the bribe and since the person involved is not dead, instead of making?a false statement, it is better to call him back,” Mr Shamenda said.?“Anyway, I have finally reported the matter to the ACC, they have just?left my office just now, so it is now up to them to handle the case.”
Mr Shamenda maintained that the Dangote official tried to bribe him?but he declined.
He said he never wanted to go straight to the ACC but gave the warning?to the official involved immediately the bribe was offered.?Mr Shamenda said there was nothing malicious about his report?concerning the Dangote official attempting to bribe him.
“People should know that the best way to bribe me is to improve the?workers’ conditions of service. Unfortunately, things have gone that?far so now it is up to the ACC to handle the whole case. My only?caution to people who were not there is for them to stay away from the?issue because I have witnesses,” Mr Shamenda said.
“The official who approached me was Mr Dangote’s mercenary and he said?they wanted to appreciate me. As far as I am concerned, let them bring?that guy back because I do not even understand why he left soon after?I warned him against offering a bribe to a public officer.”
Meanwhile, Dangote have denied the allegations by Mr Shamenda  that?their employee offered him a bribe.?“We believe that the statements were made in bad faith with the intent?to cause maximum damage to Dangote and as a result have caused?extensive damage to the reputation of DIZ and the Dangote Group as a?whole.
“We accordingly wish to address the issues raised by Honourable?Shamenda and demand for an immediate retraction,” the Dangote?statement reads in part.
Dangote has to date invested more than US$400 million to build a cement?plant in Ndola to be commissioned in November this year.
Dangote further claimed that Mr Shamenda had paid four surprise visits?to their plant in Ndola, two of which were made during weekends to?allegedly find ‘wrong doing,’ without giving Dangote any notice until?the company complained to the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and?Industry, as it was beginning to feel harassed and unwelcome in?Zambia.
ACC acting public relations officer Jonathan Siame said the commission?would issue a comprehensive statement later.