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The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has arrested and charged three officers from the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries for allegedly misappropriating US$10 million obtained by government from the African Development Bank (ADB) in 2019.
ACC Director General, Daphne Chabu, said the loan disbursement began in 2020 and was initially set to run until 2024, but was extended to June 2025 due to late disbursement.
Addressing a media briefing in Lusaka on Monday, Chabu said the loan was intended to be utilised under the Sustainable Livestock Infrastructure Management Project (SLIMP), aimed at improving livestock infrastructure, enhancing livestock production through commercialisation, and building capacity among ministry staff.
The project was earmarked for Muchinga and Northern Provinces.
Chabu said financial investigations conducted by ACC officers revealed that the entire US$10 million was disbursed, and it was further established that US$5,289,974.86 allocated for administrative and capacity-building activities was extensively misapplied.
“Investigations established that US$1,346,907.27 translating to ZMW 32,325,774.59 was illicitly transferred into personal accounts under false pretences. A further US$142,946.13 translating to ZMW 3,430,707.21 was withdrawn in cash and shared among officers,” she said.
Chabu added that the funds were “retired” using falsified documents for activities that never took place, allowing implicated officers to accumulate assets disproportionate to their legitimate earnings.
She said the findings confirmed systemic abuse and misappropriation of project resources.
She named those charged as Henry Sichone, Lusaka Provincial Livestock Research Officer and former SLIMP focal point person for Muchinga Province, who has been charged with three counts of possession of property 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 seven houses and two motor vehicles valued at K2,945,000. Sichone has also been charged with one count of corrupt acquisition of public property and revenue, contrary to Section 34 of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012, involving K4,150,756.
The second suspect, Abraham Mulenga, Provincial Fisheries and Livestock Marketing Development Officer for Central Province and former SLIMP focal point person for Muchinga Province, has been charged with eight counts of possession of unexplained property, contrary to Section 22 of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012.
The charges involve seven houses, two plots, money and vehicles valued at K4,679,901.41. Mulenga has also been charged with one count of corrupt acquisition of public property and revenue involving K2,596,752.76.
The third suspect, Peter Michese, District Accountant for Chinsali in Muchinga, has been charged with four counts of possession of unexplained property, contrary to Section 22 of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012.
The charges relate to blocks of flats, houses and vehicles valued at K2,010,000. Michese has additionally been charged with one count of corrupt acquisition of public property and revenue involving K5,565,004.28.
“We wish to inform members of the public that investigations are ongoing and more arrests are expected. The ACC remains committed to fighting corruption and ensuring accountability. This action demonstrates our resolve to protect public resources,” Chabu said.
She vowed that the Commission would ensure every coin involved in the matter was recovered and returned to the Zambian people so that public funds are used for their intended purpose.
Chabu urged citizens to continue supporting the Commission by reporting suspected corrupt practices.
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