The Police Commissioner has launched a second investigation into the conduct of former inspector Daniel Zammit, even roping in the Attorney General to assess whether he followed procedures, The Sunday Times of Malta has learnt.
The investigation kicked off by Police Commissioner Michael Cassar will look into whether Mr Zammit followed procedures when tasked with the investigation of Neville Baldacchino’s murder in 2008, sources confirmed.
Seven years later, the case remains undecided and has been heard behind closed doors. Recent revelations on Mr Zammit’s companies held with Joe Gaffarena have raised new questions because Mr Baldacchino was allegedly murdered for having an affair with Mr Gaffarena’s daughter. The main suspect was Mr Gaffarena’s son-in-law.
The Police Commissioner has roped in the Attorney General to investigate Mr Zammit’s prosecution in the case. The police investigation is the second one focused on Mr Zammit’s behaviour.
The Prime Minister has also appointed Judge Michael Mallia to investigate whether the former inspector followed procedures when investigating the same murder.
The Police Commissioner has roped in the Attorney General
Notably, the Prime Minister asked the judge to investigate all relevant people in connection with the case. Mr Zammit’s brother, Roderick, and his father – former acting commissioner Ray Zammit – also held shares in the two companies set up with Mr Gaffarena.
Roderick Zammit is already undergoing an internal police investigation into his business dealings. Police regulations prohibit members of the force to be involved in any business, which is considered a violation of duty. Police officers are obliged to devote their whole time to the police service.
Since the launch of the investigation early last week, Roderick Zammit no longer forms part of the police’s Money Laundering Unit. The decision was taken because his former unit handles sensitive information and it was felt he should no longer occupy the post until the investigation was concluded, sources confirmed.
Last Friday was Roderick Zammit’s first day of work at the Ħamrun police station, but he went out on sick leave. He had only just returned from sick leave a few days earlier – leave he took as soon as the revelations about his brother and father started to emerge in the media.
Inspector Roderick Zammit is the last of the family to remain in the corps, since his father was given new posts as director of prisons and head of the new warden agency. His brother, Daniel, was boarded out on psychiatric grounds with unusual speed and given a pension.
Controversially, Daniel Zammit was then given a €60,000 consultancy contract with Enemalta’s internal investigations unit. This was terminated on the orders of Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi but the revelation drew the public’s attention to the conduct of the two brothers and the father who had served in the force for a long number of years.
Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela has not replied to questions asking whether the former acting commissioner will be retaining his new posts.
Terms of reference of OPM inquiry:
The Prime Minister appointed Judge Michael Mallia to conduct an inquiry on former inspector Daniel Zammit’s behaviour. The results have to be presented within four weeks. The scope of the investigation:
• If the former inspector followed procedures when tasked with investigating and prosecuting the murder of Neville Baldacchino, killed in 2008. (When Daniel Zammit was tasked with investigating the murder, he was in business with Mr Gaffarena whose son-in law, Stephen Caruana, was a suspect. Mr Baldacchino was allegedly having an affair with Mr Gaffarena’s daughter).
• If procedures were followed or compromised by the private interests the former inspector had.
• The investigation of any other information or individual the Judge deems fit in relation of Daniel Zammit’s behaviour.
• To make any recommendations necessary, including any improvements to procedures that are unsatisfactory.