Zambezi kicked off in 2009 in order to investigate governmental corruption. The Dutch authorities investigated possible brines to reigning Christian-democratic Ramonsito Booi and his crony Burney El Hage. The official investigation was never officially finalized due to “time pressure”.
Mr. Booi arranged way back in 2001 for KLM to enjoy low kerosene tariffs. In return.7, the Dutch air carrier would subsidize Bonaire’s airport renovation; taking advantage of the problems KLM had with the island of Curaçao for accommodating g KLM’s intercontinental flights. KLM was looking for a way to fly directly from Amsterdam to Peru and Ecuador.
Witnesses stated that KLM had to pay the Bonaire Airport part of its gallon (3.7 liter) kerosene markup via supplier US Coastal. Ramonsito Booi would be one of the beneficiaries.KLM Director Mr. Peter Hartman, a personal friend of Mr. Booi stated that Hartman entertained Booi cum suis big time. He also allowed Mr. Booi to fly business class free of charge.
The Ministry of Justice (Mr. Mario Angela) concluded that Mr. Booi traveled a lot; he boarded airplanes a whopping 237 times between August 2008 and October 201. This accumulates to 6 flights per month during a three-year period!
The investigation was never completed thanks to the interference of Judge Frans Veenhof, who decided that the investigation had to be terminated. .
The Public Prosecutor therefore saw fit to dismiss the case *gasp*!
Two more cases could be investigated. These involve real estate transactions and mortgage fraud, which would force ,
Mr. Booi and Mr. El Hage need to appear in front of a judge in Bonaire to explain /justify their actions.
KLM declined to answer any questions. It stated via email “KLM does not affiliate itself at all in the content or any of the relating questions.”
Mr. Booi denies that he ever received any bribes.
