Billionaire Sues Zambian Minister Over Bribery Allegations

Dangote Industries Zambia is suing the country’s Labour Minister, Fackson Shamenda for defamation after the minister accused the company of attempting to bribe him through a senior official.

The court documents have been filed today, October 13, and the company is seeking unspecified damages for slander and libel as well as special damages amounting to 112,042.84 kwacha ($17,728).

Shamenda was quoted by a September 15 newspaper article as saying:

“He (referring to the official of Dangote Industries) told me that it was a tradition in their culture to give someone a token of appreciation

“May I take this opportunity to warn Dangote and all other investors in the country to avoid enticing government officials with bribes — it hinders progress.”

Shamenda had reportedly hinted further that the bribe was offered in a bid to make him “turn a blind eye to what is happening at Dangote."