Drug Enforcement Commission lifts seizure notices on former ZamPost boss, Chanda’s funds

The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has lifted two seizure notices on funds belonging to former ZamPost Postmaster General, MacPherson Chanda, who faced allegations of mismanaging Social Cash Transfer funds.

The decision follows a ruling by the Economic and Financial Crimes Court on March 15, 2024, which found that no funds were lost or stolen by Chanda in the ZamPost Social Transfer case.

According to a notice dated January 9, 2025, received by Chanda’s lawyers on January 13, the seizures were lifted under Section 16 of the Prohibition and Prevention of Money Laundering Act No. 14 of 2001.

The funds had been seized in May and July 2019 from Chanda’s Barclays (ABSA) Bank account and from the client account of his lawyers, L. M. Matibini and Company at Stanbic Bank.

The lifting of the seizures followed a demand letter from Chanda’s lawyers earlier this year, requesting that the funds be returned based on the High Court judgment.

DEC Director General, Nason Banda, confirmed that no further investigations were ongoing concerning the seized funds.

“Following the High Court judgment, which was brought to our attention, the Commission has no objection to lifting the seizure notices,” Banda wrote.

Chanda, along with two former ZamPost directors, is currently serving a two-year sentence at Mwembeshi Remand Prison while appealing their convictions for theft by a public servant at the Court of Appeal.

DEC spokesperson, Allan Tamba, confirmed the Commission’s decision to Zambia Monitor, describing it as a correct reflection of their position.

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