ZRA Employee Denies Role in Archbishop Vehicle Scandal

Mulopa Kaunda, a Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) employee at the centre of a controversial vehicle scandal, insists he never purchased or transferred a Toyota Hilux to Catholic Archbishop Alick Banda.

Since 2022, authorities have investigated the illegal disposal of at least 22 ZRA vehicles during Edgar Lungu's presidency, when government assets were allegedly diverted to ruling party sympathisers. Former ZRA Commissioner General Kingsley Chanda and Director of Administration Callistus Kaoma received six and nine-year sentences respectively for improper vehicle disposal procedures.

Records indicate Kaunda purchased vehicle ALF 7734 in April 2021 and immediately transferred it to Archbishop Banda. However, Kaunda categorically denies this, stating he's never seen the vehicle, met the Archbishop, or participated in any ZRA auction.

Kaunda explains that in December 2020, he received an unexpected receipt for a vehicle purchase he never made. When he questioned it, his supervisor Kaoma dismissed it as an error. Subsequently, Kaoma requested Kaunda's national ID, which he reluctantly provided via email. Kaunda was allegedly in Ndola—not Lusaka—when records show him collecting the vehicle from ZRA headquarters.

The scandal has devastated Kaunda personally and professionally, leading to hospitalisation for stress-related illness after fraudulent documents surfaced publicly. He maintains ZRA has supported him throughout multiple interrogations.

Drug Enforcement Commission Director General Nason Banda confirmed Kaunda's denial, stating the employee explained he never bought the vehicle. Archbishop Banda was recently summoned for questioning by authorities investigating the matter.