Headteacher arrested over alleged K10,000 recruitment scam

The Anti-Corruption Commission in Choma has arrested and charged the Headteacher of Muzya Secondary School in Zimba District for alleged corrupt practices involving K10,000 during the 2022 teacher recruitment exercise.

Siatoongo Chilumba, 43, of Teachers’ Compound in Zimba, faces two counts of Corrupt Practices by a Public Officer, contrary to Section 19(1) as read with Section 41 of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 3 of 2012 of the Laws of Zambia.

According to an ACC media on Sunday by Joseph Mwenya, ACC Head of Corporate Communications, the alleged offences occurred between 1st April 2022 and 31st July 2022.

Mwenya said at the time, Chilumba was a teacher at Zimba Secondary School and also serving as District Chairperson of the National Union of Public and Private Educators of Zambia (NUPPEZ).

Mwenya stated that on separate occasions, Chilumba corruptly solicited K7,000.00 and K3,000 from two prospective teachers.

He said the money was allegedly demanded as an inducement or reward for facilitating their recruitment as teachers, a process under the mandate of the Teaching Service Commission.

“The gratification was solicited as an inducement or reward for facilitating the recruitment of the two individuals as teachers, a matter concerning the Teaching Service Commission, a public body,” Mwenya said.

Chilumba has since been released on bond and is expected to appear before the Choma Magistrates’ Court on August 7, 2026 to answer to the charges.

“The Commission wishes to issue a strong warning to all public officers that soliciting or accepting any form of gratification in the discharge of official duties is a serious criminal offence and a gross abuse of public office,” he said.

Mwenya said public officers were entrusted with serving the public with integrity, fairness and accountability, and any attempt to exploit that trust for personal gain would attract the full force of the law.

He further stated that it remained committed to investigating, arresting and prosecuting all public officers involved in corrupt practices, and urged members of the public to report any acts of corruption.

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