THE Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) has in the last quarter arrested 10 people in connection with corrupt practices, bringing the total to 38 arrests since January.
One of the recent arrests is that of the Ministry of Finance Permanent Secretary Mukuli Chikuba, who has been charged with multiple offences involving more than K2 million.
Another arrested suspects include Luapula Province Minister Derrick Chilundika who is involved in illegal mining of thw famous precious mineral , Sugilite.
ACC Head Corporate Communications Timothy Moono said corruption will not be condoned in running the affairs of the country.
Mr Moono was speaking during a media briefing of the second quarter ACC activities undertaken against corruption.
“As a Commission, we believe that curtailing corruption is not just about punishing the corrupt. Indeed, prosecution of corrupt individuals is necessary to demonstrate that corruption cannot be tolerated and that it is an undesirable crime in society,” he said.
He said, however, it is equally important that citizens should refrain from engaging in corrupt practices.
Mr Moono echoed the elation of the commission towards the decision by President Hakainde Hichilema to remove certain Government officials from office for engaging in corrupt practices.
“To remove from office former Luapula Provincial Minister Derrick Chilundika and the eventual arrest of everyone involved in the illegal mining of Sugilite, this demonstrates the strong political will by Government to fight past, present and future corrupt practices. This is as it should be so that anyone contemplating engaging in corrupt practices will have to think twice,” he said.
Mr Moono outlined that the Commission has been investigating public officials at the Ministry of Finance and National Planning which resulted in the arrest of 20 officials for making payments for fictitious activities and theft of public funds.
“Those arrested included former Auditor General Dr Dick Sichembe, the Accountant General, and two Deputy Auditor Generals. A few weeks ago, the Commission effected an arrest on the Permanent Secretary at the same Ministry of Finance and National Planning Mr Mukuli Chikuba. He has been charged with multiple offences involving over K2,000,000.00,” he said.
Mr Moono said the offences by Mr Mukuli include Abuse of Authority of Office, Willful Failure to Follow Applicable Procedure and Theft by Public Servant contrary to the laws of Zambia.
He noted that in addition, the Commission has also arrested the Director of Internal Audit at the same Ministry, Francis Ngwenya.
He said Mr Ngwenya has been charged with the offences of Abuse of Authority of Office, Willful Failure to Follow Applicable Procedure and Obtaining money by false pretenses involving K1million in form of allowances contrary to the laws of Zambia.
“The commission has also taken note of the latest Trends Report released by the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC). The Commission has been analyzing the matters that are contained in the report and strategizing on those cases that relate to the mandate of the Commission.
However, I wish to inform you that in the second quarter, the Commission actually received one report of suspected corrupt practices from the FIC. The Commission earlier in the first quarter of this year received four reports from the FIC. As such, the Commission has received a total of five cases from the FIC so far and all the cases are still under investigation,” he said.
He added that during the last quarter, the Commission received a total of 294 reports of suspected cases of corruption.
“Out of these cases, 152 reports did not have elements of corruption and as such advice was given to all those that provided the information on how best to pursue the matters.However,142 reports contained elements of corruption and of these reports 135 were authorized for investigations,” he said.
(Mwebantu, Friday, 28th July, 2023)