By 
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has arrested and charged four public officers from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock over alleged corrupt practices linked to the misappropriation of part of a US$10 million loan facility obtained by the government from the African Development Bank in 2019.
Addressing journalists at a media briefing in Lusaka on Wednesday, ACC Director General, Daphne Chabu, said the loan was obtained under the Strategic Livestock Investment and Management Project (SLIMP). She added that the latest arrests bring the total number of suspects in the case to seven.
Among those charged is Emmanuel Chilala, an accountant, who faces three counts of corrupt acquisition of public property, three counts of possession of property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime, and six counts of concealment of property.
The charges relate to the alleged fraudulent diversion of K15,640,913.43 from SLIMP accounts, as well as ownership of landed properties valued at K4.56 million, a motor vehicle worth K200,000, and alleged transfers of properties to his parents.
Ackim Mwalilino, Acting Livestock Research Production Officer, has been charged with one count of corrupt acquisition of public property and three counts of possession of property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime, involving landed properties and a motor vehicle valued at K3.45 million.
Sharon Hikaumba, a stenographer at the Ministry of Agriculture and spouse of Emmanuel Chilala, faces three counts of concealment of property over the alleged fraudulent transfer of three motor vehicles valued at K1.5 million to her grandmother and father-in-law.
Kabemba Mwambilwa, Assistant Director–Livestock Development, has been charged with two counts of possession of property reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime, relating to landed properties valued at K11.9 million.
Chabu said the ACC has restricted 37 properties so far, including 27 houses, three farms, and seven motor vehicles, located across the country.
She emphasised that the ACC remains committed to safeguarding public resources and executing its mandate professionally and impartially, adding that investigations are ongoing.
“The Commission has engaged the Office of the Auditor General to conduct a forensic audit of the SLIMP loan to ascertain the full extent of the alleged abuse. This may result in further arrests,” Chabu said.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments