Smuggling, Bribery & Border Wars at Kipushi

By Sanjimba Kanganja | Radio Kabangabanga

A report by Radio Kabangabanga exposes how Zambia may be losing millions in public revenue at Kipushi Border Post in northwestern Zambia, where smuggling, bribery, and institutional conflicts are allegedly thriving.

While official figures show about K6 million collected annually, residents, drivers, and sources describe nightly movements of prohibited maize and other undocumented goods, often facilitated through bribes involving multiple border agencies.

The investigation also reveals allegations that Congolese nationals are working inside Zambian-controlled border premises, shutting out local youths and raising serious accountability concerns.

Efforts to restore order, including a new truck park under a public-private partnership, reportedly triggered turf wars that drew the attention of Hakainde Hichilema and senior ministers. Yet key questions sent to authorities remain unanswered.

Kipushi is a small border between two countries, Congo DR and Zambia, but the revenue losses, governance failures, and public trust at stake are national.