Anti-graft agency arrests councilor for soliciting bribe of K35,000

The Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested and charged Paul Chileshe, a Councilor for Ward 6 of Kamuchanga in Mufulira for corrupt practices involving K35,000.

Commission Head of Corporate Communications, Timothy Moono, said Chileshe, 41, of house No. X 46 Kamuchanga Extension in Mufulira, had been charged with one count of corrupt practices with a private body.

Moono in a statement issued in Lusaka on Friday, stated that the offence was contrary to Section 20 (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012.

He said Chileshe on dates unknown but between April, 1, 2023 and February, 23, 2024 in Mufulira District, being a member of the Ward Development Committee in Ward 6 of Kamuchanga in Mufulira, corruptly solicited from Bishop Josephat Bwalya K35,000.

“Chileshe actually received K10,000, as a reward or inducement for having helped Bwalya to get a loan of K186,000 from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) at Mufulira Municipal Council,” Moono stated.

He said this was a matter of transaction that concerns Joseatec General Dealers, a private body.

Moono indicated that Chileshe had since been released on bond and would appear in Court soon.

“The Commission would like to warn Ward Development Committee members, who are in a habit of soliciting for a bribe from members of the public to access CDF funds, that they risk being arrested and prosecuted,” he warned.

Moono advised that Constituency Development Funds should be used for its intended purpose of developing communities.

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