By 
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has arrested and charged three officials from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock over corruption involving more than K8.8 million linked to the Sustainable Livestock Infrastructure Management Project (SLIMP) Loan.
Chilufya Chisanga, Acting Head of Corporate Communications, said the latest arrests bring the total number of officers arrested in the saga to 12.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Thursday, Chisanga said the arrests related to the ongoing probe into the gross misappropriation of part of the US$10 million project funds intended for SLIMP.
“The arrests relate to the ongoing probe into the gross misappropriation of part of the US$10 million project funds intended for SLIMP,” Chisanga stated.
Among those charged is Grace Lungu, 47, a Principal Livestock Production Officer of Lilayi area, Lusaka.
Lungu has been charged with sixteen counts of Fraudulent False Accounting contrary to Section 326(a) and (b) of Chapter 87 of the Penal Code, relating to false imprest retirements amounting to K750,320.52.
She also has been charged with two counts of Possession of Property Reasonably Suspected to be Proceeds of Crime, contrary to Section 71 of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act No. 19 of 2010.
The charges relate to one residential property in Chipata District valued at K800,000 and a Government security (bond) valued at K300,000,” Chisanga said.
Also charged is Trohyb Hanyimbo, 42, a Senior Livestock Production Officer of Libala South, Lusaka.
Hanyimbo faces one count of Corrupt Acquisition of Public Property and Revenue contrary to Section 34(1)(b) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012, involving K1,984,071 allegedly diverted from Ministry SLIMP accounts.
Kabemba Mwambilwa, 48, of Palabana area, Chongwe, has been charged with one count of Corrupt Acquisition of Public Property and Revenue contrary to Section 34(1)(b) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012 involving K3,888,534.51, which he allegedly fraudulently diverted from various Ministry SLIMP accounts,” Chisanga stated.
Mwambilwa, an Assistant Director, has also been charged with two counts of Possession of Property Reasonably Suspected to be Proceeds of Crime in relation to a Hyundai Creta valued at K450,000 and a Jaguar F-Pace valued at K650,000.
Mwambilwa has further been charged with one count of Abuse of Authority of Office contrary to Section 21 of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012 in the manner he facilitated the employment of Grace Chundama as SLIMP Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist without approval from the Ministry Permanent Secretary.
The three suspects have since been released on bond and are expected to appear in court soon.
“Early this year Mwambilwa was arrested and charged with two counts of Possession of Property Reasonably Suspected to be Proceeds of Crime,” Chisanga said.
She said investigations into the Sustainable Livestock Infrastructure Management Project (SLIMP) were ongoing, and more arrests were expected to be made.
“Investigations into this matter, have so far uncovered assets valued at well over K124 million and these comprise of motor vehicles, houses, farms, livestock and government bonds,” Chisanga stated.
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