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The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has arrested and jointly charged an Executive Officer in the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services and a Senior News Editor at the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) for possession and concealment of properties worth over K5.6 million reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.
The suspects have been identified as Veronica Chisanga Kabwe, 52, an Executive Officer under the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services (MCDSS), and Chimangeni Banda, 52, Senior News Editor at ZANIS under the Ministry of Information and Media.
ACC Head of Corporate Communications, Joseph Mwenya, confirmed the arrests in a statement issued in Lusaka on Sunday.
Mwenya said the duo had been jointly charged with two counts of possession and concealment of properties reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime, contrary to Section 71(1) of the Forfeiture of Proceeds of Crime Act No. 19 of 2010.
He said the offences allegedly occurred between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2025, in Lusaka District, where the two allegedly acted together with other persons unknown.
“Between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2025, in Lusaka District, jointly and whilst acting together with other persons unknown, the duo allegedly possessed and concealed property number L/38829, a semi-detached three-bedroomed house, and property number L/13329, a four-bedroomed house, both valued at K3,270,000, reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime,” he said.
The particulars of the two counts are that Kabwe and Banda allegedly possessed and concealed properties reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime.
Kabwe has separately been charged with nine additional counts of possession and concealment of properties reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime under the same Act.
Mwenya said Kabwe was alleged to have concealed three motor vehicles — a Toyota Hilux, a Toyota Dyna light truck and a Toyota RAV4 — with a combined estimated value of K1 million.
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She was also allegedly in possession and concealment of funds and Government bonds amounting to K1,346,578 held in various bank accounts.
The particulars of the nine additional counts are that Kabwe allegedly possessed and concealed motor vehicles, funds and Government bonds reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.
Mwenya said the two suspects had since been released on bond and were expected to appear in court soon.
“The Anti-Corruption Commission will continue to investigate and take appropriate action against individuals suspected of engaging in corruption and concealing properties reasonably suspected of being proceeds of crime,” he said.
Mwenya urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspected cases of corruption to the Commission.
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